So You’re Ready To Downsize...Now What?

Downsizing from a larger home into a smaller one is a major event in itself, and it often comes on the heels of a massive life change—like a child going off to college, retirement, a change in health or mobility, or a tragedy like the loss of a spouse. These disruptions tend to overshadow what would otherwise be an exciting, even liberating move. It can feel overwhelming before you even meet with an agent.

But it doesn’t have to be. I can’t guarantee it’ll be painless, but it’s never as gargantuan a feat as sellers make it out to be in their heads. I’ve helped many people successfully downsize, and once they’re moved in to their new home they often say they wish they’d done it sooner. If you’re considering downsizing, here are some strategies for reducing stress without compromising a top-of-the-market price and fast sale.

1. Plan Ahead

Step One is to clear out your home. It’s best to do it in one foul swoop, and the key is to plan ahead. Schedule a weekend and enlist the help of friends and family (if you’ve got adult children, don’t forget to ask their friends—you know, the ones you fed and carpooled all those years!). Depending on the size of your home and the crew you’re able to round up, you may need to hire some local teens to fill the gap.

Order a mobile storage unit like PODS; they’ll drop it off in your driveway, store it while you move, and eventually deliver it to your new home. If necessary, you may also need a small dumpster or junk removal service. Round up folding tables, tarps, boxes, packing material, Sharpies, tape, trash bags, bins, and a dolly for moving heavier things. Identify charities who can pick up the things you decide to donate, and make sure your helpers have their calendars marked.

2. Do a Weekend Clear-out

When your clear-out weekend arrives, start early and get everything ready for an efficient clear-out: stock each room with packing supplies, put the dolly by your door, and set up the tarps, tables, and bins in your yard. Empty every surface and cabinet in every room. Each and every item should be placed in a bin or box and brought out to the tables for sorting. This step can also be done inside each room, though it may take longer. Either way, make 3 different piles per room:

Move now (properly package into labeled, taped-up boxes)
Keep while moving (put in a clear or labeled bin for easy access)
Donate/sell (put in bags or boxes, labeled by contents or destination)

Make sure your “keep while moving” pile is sparse and truly contains only necessary items—the more you can get out now, the easier your final move will be. And be exceedingly generous with your “donate” pile, keeping in mind the size of your new place. As your “Move Now” boxes get sealed, have them hauled directly into your mobile storage pod.

Once your belongings are out of the house, sorted, and packed, start moving your furniture into the storage pod. The only remaining pieces should be either home-tour-worthy or necessary. Make sure you have pickups scheduled for any furniture you are selling or donating.

When done, hire professional cleaners to do a top-to-bottom deep clean. A shiny, clutter-free home will greatly enhance your final price, and seeing your home ready to sell will be an enormous psychological boost. You haven’t even hit the market yet, and half your moving is already done!

3. Touch up and Repair

Once your home is clean and clear, defects will become apparent. A fresh coat of paint throughout will do wonders, as will some wood filler, polish, and fresh tile grout.

Walk through your home with a critical eye and address any eyesores or issues, such as leaky faucets, rusty hardware, cracked tile, or loose handles. These things are easy and inexpensive to fix, and will give buyers that “new home” feeling.

You also want to give some love to your home’s exterior. It’s the first thing potential buyers see when they browse listings online, and it will also be their first impression when they come for a tour. Make it as inviting as possible, and delegate and hire out as much of the work as you need to. This of course includes landscaping, but depending on your home you may want to repaint your front door, add exterior lighting, power-wash your siding, replace your mailbox, or patch your driveway. Little touches like these can significantly boost your final price without costing a fortune, resulting in more net proceeds from your sale.

4. Stage

Staging can also dramatically improve your home’s price and selling speed. Tastefully arrange your furniture (think form over function), replace heavy window treatments with light sheers, and maximize natural light. Add texture and warmth with plush blankets and, if it’s still winter when you list, a crackling fire. You want your buyers to really “feel” your home, not just “see” it.

While keeping the interior neutral is important, it’s also important to consider the season when staging. In the fall, for example, a bowl of apples on the kitchen counter and some cinnamon-scented candles create the right ambience.

5. Price It Right

Accurate pricing is crucial in our market right now, even if your home is the most desirable one out there. Overpricing will cause your home to languish, negatively impacting your final sale price.

Work closely with an experienced agent to set a competitive asking price as well as competitive concessions and perks. If enough buyers are enticed by your attractive home and market-friendly price, you’ll enjoy a fast sale and potentially get offers over asking.

While this is important regardless of the type of sale, downsizing sellers are keen to reduce stress without sacrificing the best price and fastest sale possible. An accurate list price helps accomplish this.

Get in touch!

If you need more personalized advice or are ready to get started, give us a call. I’d love to learn about your goals for downsizing and help you achieve them!

If you plan to sell your home, now is the best time to attend our Free Home Selling Seminars. If you want to attend a seminar, contact us, and we will notify you when they are scheduled. As always, you can check KopaSeminar.com to see the dates and times of our in-person and online Free Home Selling Seminars. For years, home sellers have told me they benefited from attending our events. Sign up at KopaSeminar.com.