Downsizing your home can feel overwhelming when selling your home, both emotionally and physically. However, it can also be a great opportunity to simplify your life, save money, and start fresh. It can offer freedom and flexibility of managing less clutter and less house to maintain and keep clean! We’ve helped many families downsize and there is a sense of feeling lighter and relief after moving through the downsizing process. If you are planning to downsize your home in Kansas City, here are seven tips to help you make the process as smooth as possible so you can settle into a new home with fewer possessions, costs, and concerns. The hardest part? Just deciding you are actually going to start. You can do it and there is help available every step of the way!
1. Start Early
One of the most important tips for downsizing your home is to start early. Don’t wait until you have to make a move or the last minute to start sorting through your belongings and packing if you can help it! Beginning the downsizing process doesn’t mean you have to move tomorrow! But it will empower you to have more options when you want to or you need to. Give yourself plenty of time to make decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of. Getting your items cleared out can also help you get a leg up on moving or staging if you are also trying to sell your current home.
2. Create a Downsizing Plan
Before you start packing, it’s important to create a plan for downsizing your home. As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® we craft and create personalized plans for each of the downsizing families we work with. We’ve been through it before and know which steps work best in which order. We’ll talk through a game plan to help you decide what items you want to keep, what items you want to donate or sell, and what items you want to throw away. If you have many rooms of sorting to complete, we can line up support for each step of the way if you want or need it! Together you’ll feel like “we’ve got this!”
3. Measure Your New Space if You Know Where You’re Moving to Next
Before you start packing, make sure you know the dimensions of your new space if you’ve already picked it out. This will help you determine what items you can bring with you and what items you will need to leave behind. If you haven’t yet found a new home and need to downsize, you can estimate using your current living areas. Plan for fewer rooms and for the spaces to be about half the size of your current living areas. This should ensure you have plenty of space for your belongings in a smaller home. Many of our homeowners downsizing in Kansas City also consider working with a Senior Move Manager® to make their moving process even more simple and streamlined from start to finish. As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® we coordinate and professionally recommend each personalized element of your downsizing plan that best fits your needs and goals.
4. Get Rid of Unwanted Items
Downsizing is the perfect opportunity to get rid of unwanted items. Sell or donate items that are in good condition, and throw away items that are no longer usable. Consider hosting a garage sale or using online marketplaces to sell unwanted items. Partner with a tech savvy family member and offer them a commission % of the sale to list items if you don’t plan to have a full sale. This extra cash can easily offset any moving costs you are set to incur.
Many of our clients downsizing in Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka choose to have a sale. Depending on the number and type of items in your home you may choose to have an estate sale, online estate sale, tag sale, or sell a specific antique or furniture collection. We recommend local professionals who organize various types of sales and can offer you a consultation on what types of sale may make the most sense for your needs and bring in the most cash for your items to use toward your future move whether you live in a townhouse or a spaciously appointed home.
5. Pack Efficiently
When packing your belongings, be sure to pack them efficiently. Use boxes that are the appropriate size for the items you are packing, and label each box with its contents. Discuss with your Seniors Real Estate Specialist® if you plan to hire professional movers or utilize the help of family and friends. Should you need help with packing and sorting through items in each room, support is available. This will make unpacking in your new home much easier, less stressful and more streamlined. Should you choose to have professional help packing – you’ll be surprised as the efficiency of a professional organizer who prepares for moves daily. They know just what fits best in each type of box and how to fit important items for easy locating in your new home.
6. Consider Storage Options
If you are downsizing but don’t want to get rid of certain items, consider renting a storage unit. This will allow you to keep your belongings safe and secure until you are ready to use them again. That said, ensure the items have a value that outweighs the cost of storing them! Some people end up spending hundreds of dollars to store items that would be better off sold. Most importantly only consider a storage unit for items you need to keep…be sure to go through items prior to renting a storage unit so you aren’t complicating the downsizing process with delaying processing items that will add future challenges you’ll have to address.
7. Get Professional Help
Finally, consider getting professional help when downsizing your home. Our Seniors Real Estate Specialist® team can help you sell your current home and find a new one that meets your needs. They can also provide valuable advice and resources for downsizing, including recommendations for professional organizers, cleaners, contractors and more.
At BD Real Estate Solutions our agents have a wealth of experience in the real estate industry. We’ve helped countless clients buy and sell homes in Kansas City, Lawrence, & Topeka and we know the ins and outs of the local market. You can trust us to guide you through the process of downsizing and help you find a new home that meets your needs.
Downsizing your home in Kansas City can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these seven tips and getting professional help with out Seniors Real Estate Specialist® and team at BD Real Estate Solutions, you can make the process as smooth as possible and start enjoying your new, simplified life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you when buying or selling your house in the Kansas City area! 913-232-3383
