Downsizing your home is becoming popular for a good reason, especially when moving into a new home or apartment.
Living in a smaller property can be less expensive, easier to maintain, and quite cozy. Unfortunately, you probably can't move all your stuff into your new home.
The first step when considering downsizing is to decide what you're going to keep.
Downsizing your home primarily applies to furniture and appliances. Smaller items can usually be packed away in smaller boxes.
Everybody has different preferences on what they like around the house. But you can ask yourself a few things first.
Remember, understand what your new home looks like first. You'll want to know furniture dimensions and where things might go.
The above questions can apply to many things. Here are a few specific examples to get your brain working.
Home Gym: You might have a home elliptical or treadmill. Do you use it every day? Maybe once a month? Consider buying a pair of outdoor running shoes to replace these big and bulky things.
The Kids' Rooms/Guest Rooms: Maybe you'll have some visitors at your new home, and 1 guest room wouldn't hurt, but bringing along furniture from 2 or 3 rooms hardly seems logical.
The Attic/Basement: Have loads of boxes that haven't seen light for years? Maybe it's time to get rid of them!
Now that you've decided what's coming with, time to decide how to get rid of the things that aren't.
In the process of downsizing your home, you probably have a versatile arsenal of the things that are going. Anything from fishing gear to a California-King sized bed set. Thus, you'll need different methods to get rid of things. Here are a few good ideas for you. Some will be better for certain items.
Craigslist: This is good for a lot of things, but mainly for that big and bulky furniture.
The reason? Craigslist is full of money savers looking for anything they can. The best part is that you can get the buyer to move it for you.
For example, that 300 lb. metal desk sitting in the upstairs study is definitely not being moved by you. You could always try to get a few hundred bucks for it, but you'd need to figure out moving, dates, etc. If you have no problem putting it up for "$20 – move it yourself," that desk will be gone the next day.
Call the Kids/Family: Is there any family in the nearby area you'd like to give some furniture to? The nightstand your great-grandfather handcrafted might fit right in at the kid's home! Maybe the grandkids could use some fishing gear.
The best way to do this is to put all the stuff you're getting rid of in the same area. Have the family come over to pick and choose!
Garage Sale: Now that the family has picked and chosen their new belongings, keep all that stuff together and have a garage sale. Good for getting rid of electronics, clothes, trinkets, small furniture, etc. Remember to be reasonable. You'll make a few dollars!
Donations: We highly recommend donations. Goodwill takes almost anything. ARC will pick up select items for you. You can do a Google search on nearby causes; look to donate for them. An example, Career Closet in Fort Collins, Colorado takes business attire to outfit people looking to get jobs!
After trying the previous three methods, you'll most likely be able to unload all the rest of your useful items with a donation center.
Now that you've downsized your arsenal, time to move into the new place! Make it your own! Enjoy!
Our team is here to help you find your next home. Feel free to call and schedule a showing or start your search right here.
