How to Simplify the Downsizing Process

In 2017 46% of baby boomers and 12% of people aged 45 to 64 who sold a home, did so to downsize (According to the National Association of Realtors). In 2018 an AARP study found that 77% of people over 50 want to age in place, which meant moving to a smaller, more manageable, more accessible home. Today, home prices make the prospect of adding to the nest egg near impossible to ignore. But, the reality of downsizing for many seems like an insurmountable task. The job of clearing out decades of belongings is overwhelming and the prospect of being forced to part with a lifetime of memories is heartbreaking.

What if I told you that it is absolutely possible to downsize and cash in on all that it offers without losing your mind or breaking your heart? We are here to help. 

Get Started

Start by giving yourself plenty of time (at least 3 months) and choose a decluttering method that will work for you. We explore the finer points of decluttering methods in our post Stress Free Selling: How to Declutter Your Home. However, start with these basics: 

• Work on one room at a time, one area at a time 
• Set a timer for 15 minutes. When the timer goes off, take a break or work on something else. 
• Get help. If you have willing family members set a time and date for them to help you. Or, hire an organizer. They’re worth every penny. 
• Organize as you go. This will make packing so much easier. 
•  Take before and after pictures to help motivate you in your decluttering mission.

Rules for Decluttering

Decluttering can be especially difficult because it's so easy to decide to keep belongings that you don’t have space for. To overcome this we suggest putting a system or set of rules in place for what you keep and don’t let yourself create loopholes. 

A few rules we suggest include; 

• All items should be placed in one of the following categories: keep, donate, sell, trash, pass down, or add to your treasure book. No maybes. 
• Measure your new home and be realistic about what will fit. Only keep those items that will have a place in your new home. No storage lockers! 
• Once you give things away you need to truly let go of them. If you have given your belonging to a family member, don’t ask about it, or make them feel bad about how they are using them. 

New Home, New Life

Beyond what will fit in your new home consider what will fit in your new life. We need to remember that downsizing is an opportunity for you to start anew. Take the time to get to the heart of why you are downsizing. Ask yourself why? and when you answer, ask why again, until you get to the heart of it. For example: “Why am I selling my home?” “So I can have more money and time.” “Why?” “I want to travel and visit my family more.” “Why?” “Because I miss them and I want to see the world.” 

Consider what your new lifestyle will look like. Are you going to take up a new hobby? Travel? Remember that the more specific your goals and the more vivid your future the more motivating they will be! 

Choosing What to Keep

Sometimes choosing what to keep is actually harder than choosing what to let go of. According to an article by Laura McCamy on Businessinsider.com experts recommend focusing on keeping those things that make your house a home. Try this; take a photo of your home. What does your eye go to? That's what you keep. If you’re a collector choose just your favorite pieces to keep. Now is the moment to get rid of the guilt gifts and all things that you don’t love. 

The other important point that gets made over and over when people discuss downsizing is the idea of saving your favorite, best things for a special occasion. Over and over again, organization gurus implore people, “ENJOY YOUR POSSESSIONS NOW!” Karen Shinn, a senior move manager and cofounder of Downsizing Diva of Toronto says in her interview with McCamy, “You’re worth it! Take the good stuff!” Now is the time to let go of the cheap and threadbare items you’ve been using for years and to embrace those beautiful pieces that you’ve been keeping safe for years. Your new life is not about keeping things safe. Your new life is about enjoying all that is good. 

What About the Sentimental Stuff?

Most people do it, they attach memories to objects and feel connected with people and times past by looking at a belonging. The problem is that you have way more space in your memory than you will in your downsized home, so unfortunately you will have to find a way to let go of some of those sentimental pieces. 

• You can hand it down to a willing family member (just remember the rules of being a generous giver mentioned above) and rest easy knowing that you’ve passed on the memories. 
• You can donate the item to someone who really needs it and rest easy knowing that the object is appreciated and creating memories for someone else. 
• You can create a “Treasure Book” (we love this idea!). In a treasure book, you would place photos of your home and images of the items you are parting with along with ya retelling of the story of the item. Include old images and label them with names, dates and your memories of the time. Scan in notes, mementos, and children’s saved artwork. Collect your family recipes and scan them into a book. You could even make several copies and give them as gifts! 
• You can repurpose or upcycle an item for your new space. For example, turn your t-shirt collection into a quilt you actually use, convert prized pieces into wall art, or convert an old toy chest into useable seating and storage.

And what about the stuff I’m not attached to?

When you aren’t emotionally attached to an item it is significantly easier to figure out what to do with it. Really you have two options: 

• Sell your item. There are many online marketplaces that make cashing in on unwanted items easy. Check out sites like eBay, Craigslist, OfferUp, LetGo, and Facebook Marketplace. The important thing to note here is to use proper safety and anti-fraud precautions when buying or selling on these sites. Don’t disclose personal information. Meet in a public place with a friend.  Use contactless pick-up when possible. Use electronic transfer or small amounts of cash once goods have been exchanged. Stick to local transactions. Be skeptical and trust your instincts. 
• Donate your item. You may want to try and sell first then donate as moving day gets closer. Some non-profits and charities that will pick up home items and clothing include: 
  • Goodwill
  • Salvation Army
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • The Arc
  • Furniture Bank

The one caveat here is for high-value items. In this case, you will want to have the item appraised first. If the item is truly worth a lot you may want to put it up for auction rather than sell online or if you would like to donate the item you can use it as a tax write-off. 

What about all this paperwork?

Most paper in your home can realistically be shredded and disposed of. 

Okay, now that I've made myself enemy numero uno of paper hoarders everywhere let me lay it out for you. 

If you have access to paperwork online, shred it. 

If your tax returns are more than 7 years old, shred it. 

Notes and sentimental papers? Scan or photograph them and add them to your treasure book, then shred them. 

Those important documents you need to have on hand to reference? Scan and organize them in digital files. Back up those files on an external hard drive or if it makes you feel better back them up onto 2 drives and put one in a firebox. 

And those items you have to have in paper form? Those irreplaceable documents we all have? Should not be just hanging around your house! Collect them and make sure you have a safe place to store them in your new house. 

Downsizing is still going to be a monumental undertaking, but if you follow our advice you can manage this transition with grace and optimism for what comes next.

Need help as you navigate the downsizing process? Our Realtors at EXIT Oceanside Realty are experts at every stage.