Downsizing Your Home: A How-To Guide
Friday, July 09, 2010
When you make the decision to downsize to a smaller home it often comes as a relief. A smaller mortgage payment and lower utility bills sound great when you're at the closing. However, relief often turns into panic when you realize that all of your belongings are not going to fit into your more compact home.
Where do you start? Aside from renting a 20-foot dumpster, it's time to toss, sell and organize. The more time you have to do this prior to your move, the better. It's also important to get into the mindset that you really don't need that stuffed animal your first boyfriend won you at the St. Mary's Feast fifteen years ago. You also may want to think about passing on the clothes you've been putting aside "in case they fit again." Someone could use them and your smaller home isn't likely to have endless storage space.
Think ahead. Contact your realtor prior to the closing and get measurements of each room. Measure your furniture and see what will fit and what won't.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWhat can you part with? You'll be surprised. Excess anything equals clutter that defeats the purpose of downsizing and simplifying your life. Go through each room, including the garage, and organize your belongings into areas or boxes marked "keep," "toss," and "sell."
A good rule of thumb: Donate or sell more than you keep. Most everything you have has "sentimental value" but it may be put to better use by someone else, so why let it sit in a box or closet?
Sell it! Downsizing your living space also means saving money. Why not add some cash to your piggy bank? Sell furniture, toys, electronics and home decor that require too much storage space to keep.
Craigslist.org: Great for a fast sale of inexpensive and worn furniture, toys, household items. Not the place to sell expensive jewelry or pricey collectibles.
eBay: Use a registered reseller if you don't want to go through the process of listing and shipping items like collectibles. Mark and Heather Sardinha of Bristol, RI are eBay resellers who offer pick up service. They have seven years of experience reselling for those who are looking to earn money from unwanted household items, so their service fee may save you time and make you spare cash. Contact Mark and Heather at [email protected] or find them on eBay here.
Yard Sale: It's the tried and true way to unclutter your life. Set up the yard sale long before you plan to move. Sell items for the lowest possible price. The point is to get rid of the items, not become a millionaire.
Donate it! Charities are in big need of clothing, furniture and household items. It's a feel-good thing when you can give away items that will be put to good use by someone in need. It's also a tax deduction.
Big Sisters of Rhode Island: Make clothing donations, bedding donations, and toy donations to Big Sisters of Rhode Island. Call for a free pickup.
Salvation Army: Drop off clothing, furniture, electronics and other household goods. Find a location in Rhode Island here.
Organize it! After you've sorted, sold and donated, organize what you have to move. If you'll be storing off-season items in your new basement, use plastic containers (think Target, Lowes) rather than cardboard moving boxes. The flooding in the spring here in Rhode Island may have been unusual, but it's better off to be prepared.
If you have fewer closets in your new space, treat yourself to a closet redesign with the money you've stashed from the sale of your excess junk. Not only is this a great investment in your new home, you'll get the most out of your little space. Closets Etc. has been in the business of custom closets and storage solutions since 1987 and you can take a look at their work at their Pawtucket showroom. 569 Armistice Boulevard, Pawtucket, RI 02861 401-398-0398
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- Downsizing Your Home: Making the Most of Less Space
- 14 Easy Ways to Up the Value of Your Home
- First Impressions: Home Staging Key to Selling
