We are often asked about downsizing a home. Think about it... it is often a very stressful time. Change is difficult for most people, but it is often even worse if you've lived in your home for 30-40-50 years. Let's face it... after living in your home for many years; you just accumulate a ton of stuff... a life's worth of belongings.
This is part of our best in class continuing series of articles, helpful tips and insights into helping you downsize and clean out your home by Nick Santoro and Joe Santoro of Personal Property Managers. Personal Property Managers specializes in real estate sales and marketing, home downsizing, content clean out and removal and estate sales, and services Pennsylvania and New Jersey. These tips and insights are especially important and true in the environment we are in today, with the global economy turned upside down, massive job losses, and the need for extreme social distancing due to the Corona Virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease.
Downsizing as you prepare for your move will allow you to focus on the possessions you truly value and need. If you plan ahead with the tips below, you will create a comfortable new environment you'll be happy to call home. Also, please be mindful that things that were of value years ago are often not in demand today and thus the monitory value that these items held in the past may not be existant today.
So....start today!
Plan your downsizing process early and set reasonable goals. Focus on typical problem areas first such as the attic, basement, garage and closets.
Plan for your new floor plan
Often times it is difficult letting go of things you've had forever. It is also difficult to visualize how your current items will fit in your new home. Start by determining the pieces of furniture that will best fit by using a floor plan of your new space. Ask yourself questions such as: do I have room for oversized furniture? Should I keep this piece of furniture just because it was expensive or has sentimental value?
Be generous with your possessions
Give some of your treasures to the special people in your life such as family members, close friends and neighbors. Consider donating duplicate or useful items to your favorite charity or church.
Modernize your memories
It can be easy to pause over the many the many photos collected over the years. Thanks to technology you can easily preserve family photos and memories. Ask a family member or friend, or hire a service, to digitize your photos for viewing on a computer, digital photo frame or through a DVD player.
When in doubt, get an objective opinion
Accept help with sorting and packing. If family or close friends aren't available, consider hiring a professional senior move manager or organizer who can offer advice on how to downsize. Consider a professional like Personal Property Managers to assist you.
Pack a survival bag
The day of the move may be hectic. Pack a bag with all of the essentials such as medications, personal care products, kitchen basics, cleaning supplies and payment for the movers.
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For more information on real estate or home downsizing please contact Nick Santoro or Joe Santoro of Personal Property Managers at 215-485-9272 or 908-368-1909. Personal Property Managers specializes in helping home owners transition from their home of many years into a new community. Personal Property Managers services Pennsylvania and New Jersey and offers downsizing services, estate sales services, home staging, discount full service real estate services via its association with EveryHome Realty. Learn more about Personal Property Managers from our recent News Stories.
