When it comes to downsizing your home in the modern age, there are no hard and fast rules anymore. Not that anything was ever written in stone, but tradition was to sell the family home after becoming an empty-nester. Or, as one client so eloquently put it, “our son FINALLY got married and moved out – 12 years later than anticipated!”
The point is that today’s homeowners aren’t following anyone’s agenda except their own, which makes the question of “when to downsize” much easier. If you feel ready, the time is right! You don’t need a practical reason other than the idea brings you joy.
The next step is to create a plan for packing up, selling your home, and moving on to the next exciting steps in your life. Making this transition as easy as possible is what today’s post is all about.
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It’s Never Too Early to Declutter
When downsizing, or even just thinking about it, it is never too early to start decluttering.
Sorting through cherished items and endless belongings is the most difficult part of any move. The longer you’ve been in one place, the more memories you associate with home. For a lucky few, it’s easy to separate the emotion from the item, which makes downsizing a relatively pain-free task.
For the rest of us, it is challenging to let go of those belongings we’ve become so attached to. Plus, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with inertia just by thinking about how much we have accumulated over the years.
Breaking the project of decluttering down into smaller, incremental steps will make it seem so much less daunting. By beginning early, you leave yourself the luxury of time!
- If nothing else, you can start by collecting boxes and making labels.
- Next, pack away or dispose of all of your non-emotional belongings, those items you’ve been meaning to clear out but just haven’t had a chance yet.
- Focus your efforts on one room, one closet, or even just one drawer at a time. As soon as you start making progress, you’ll find it easier to keep going.
Maybe it seems too early to think about buying your next home just yet, but it never hurts to start planning. The posts below can help:
- Choosing a Neighbourhood: The Top 8 Things to Think About
- Buying a Fixer-Upper: What You Need to Know
- Understanding Closing Costs for Buyers in Toronto
Assess the Scope of the Project
Gaining clarity can help make even the most monumental tasks feel less intimidating. Knowing exactly what needs to be done by a certain deadline gives you a goal to work toward.
Simply making a comprehensive to-do list will help create momentum. After decluttering, a typical downsizer’s checklist might look like this:
- Perform a thorough clean-up, inside and outside. Wipe down all counters and dressers, wash the walls, clean the ceiling, wipe the baseboards, scrub the showers, and don’t forget the space behind the toilets in the bathroom. Pro-tip: clean from the top down. This ensures you don’t have to mop the floors again after wiping the tables and sweeping cobwebs from the ceiling.
- Make a list of necessary and beneficial repairs. (Yes, another list! It’s worth it, though, because organization is key to a successful transition.)
- Begin thinking about your next steps. Do you want to live in the same neighbourhood, just in a smaller house or condo? Or do you plan to sell your home and leave the city altogether? Ask your real estate agent to start looking for listings in your desired area.
Rethink Your Layout (aka Home Staging)
After owning and living in a house for a long time, you might start to take the layout and decor for granted. Two reclining chairs and a plush sofa in a small living room might look awkward, but they’re so comfortable that you don’t even notice (or care) about the aesthetic.
However, a buyer will not have that experience. They’ll just see it as cramped, which puts you at a disadvantage once your home hits the market.
One of the first steps to successfully selling your home is to design it so the buyer can imagine living there. That means getting rid of anything bulky or unnecessary. It also means saying goodbye to your personal keepsakes and photos.
This process of creating a blank canvas is what real estate agents refer to as “staging.” We are creating an atmosphere and “setting the stage” for the buyer. Properly preparing your home for sale allows you to get the best results possible so you are empowered as you begin the hunt for your next home.
Staging is just one of the secrets to an ultra-successful home sale! Learn even more in the posts below:
- How Home Staging Can Help You Get the Best Price for Your Property
- The Psychology of First Impressions: What Buyers Notice First
- What to Do Next When Packing After Selling Your Home
Is There a Shortcut for Downsizing?
Downsizing your home is always a big undertaking, no matter how many tricks and tips you come across. Is there an ultimate shortcut to make this experience as easy as it can possibly be?
By working with an experienced, full-service real estate team, you can eliminate much of the work involved. For example, if you sell your home with DeClute Real Estate, you get access to our elevated, concierge services (that make you feel like our one and only client) and absolute next-level staging techniques to ensure your house stands out. That’s in addition to a fully customized marketing strategy unique to your listing. And did we mention an entire month of free storage and complimentary moving services?
At every step of your downsizing journey, it’s important to remember that you never have to handle any part of it alone. A friend, a family member, or a dedicated team of professional experts are just a phone call or email away.
Do you want to know more about how DeClute Real Estate can help you when buying or selling your home? Get in touch today at 416.686.9618 or email info@declute.com.
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