TIPS ON DOWNSIZING by Cathie Daly, Move by Design

MOVING ON…  MOVE BY DESIGN

Downsizing can be a stressful process for anyone, but especially for seniors who find themselves with a endless to-do list  … a lifetime of belongings to sort through ... tough decisions to qualify what to take and what to do with many years worth of treasured possessions.  Adding to the challenge is the fact that today families are more spread out geographically and not always available to help with the moving process.

Making the decision to move is usually the first important step in the moving process!  Planning for the move is just as important as the move itself so you don’t feel rushed!  The following tips and wide range of services provide an element of compassionate objectivity for seniors taking the plunge into a more simplified lifestyle.

#1 Home Staging

Professional design assistance to stage current home maximizing your homes sales potential prior to listing the home is a critical step.  This should be a two step process in order to make it more simplistic. 

 

a)    First step is establish an exterior and interior hit-list by walking the home with client, family member if available, and professional home stager  (approximately 1.5 hrs) providing  client with a thorough documentation of what needs to be done.

b)   Once list has been reviewed, second step is to acquire actual budgets for agreed work to be completed and timelines discussed again prior to listing your home.

#2 Sorting

Start Small-Take time to talk to family members or a downsizing consultant to review all the possibilities. We all tend to keep things we don’t necessarily need or will ever use.  Start qualifying by each room items you will want to keep, second will be things you are going to find a new home for, the third will be things you are going to give family members, and finally the fourth will be things that are ready to be thrown out.  Take a good hard look and be honest.  Why are you keeping it?

 

#3 Photos

Take pictures of the inside of your home as a reference for future home staging notes.  These photos will also help in re-staging items making your new place feel like home.

 

#4 Room Layout

Obtain a room layout of your new home - Establish a proper furniture layout so you can decide proper spacing and what of your furniture will fit and what won’t.

 

#5 Packing

Hire outside help - Sometimes it’s easier to work with an outside professional to expedite the process.

 

#6 Moving Company

In order to be valued conscious, its best to involve the moving company for a quote once you have downsized and have established what is actually going to transfer to your new home.  Coordinating movers for pick up, transfer, unpacking, and restaging services needs to be assigned

 

Recognizing there is a “critical path” for a successful, easier, transition of these activities; make sure you are partnering with qualified PROFESSIONALS that can help guide you with any or all of these responsibilities and eliminate additional emotional stress!

Comments

[Debbie Whittaker]

Great post. Looking forward to your future tips and professional info.