Are you ready to downsize your home? Maybe you’re looking to reduce your homeownership expenses. Or maybe you’d prefer a smaller home with lower maintenance requirements. Whatever your reason for downsizing, this simple downsizing home checklist will keep you on track and make the process a lot smoother.
Step 1: Know Your Goals
Before you start selling, donating, or tossing belongings, take just a moment to get clear on your ultimate goals. Do you want to keep everything that will fit in your new, smaller home? Or do you want to eliminate as many material possessions as possible for a truly minimalistic lifestyle?
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- Decide on your ultimate goal for downsizing.
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Step 2: Downsize All the “Stuff”
“Stuff” covers all the possessions you’ve acquired over the years. And yes, this is a big category, so naturally, it’s going to take up a good portion of your downsizing time. The good news is that this big job can be reduced to just five to-dos on your downsizing home checklist!
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- Start by deciding what you’re going to keep.
- Check with family and friends to see if there are any items they might want. You can also offer special pieces to friends and family to make sure these pieces get a good home.
- Trash anything that isn’t in good enough shape to be sold or donated.
- Sell off anything of value. Consider an estate sale if you’re serious about getting rid of everything from furnishings to linens to canned goods.
- Donate any remaining items to local charities or families in need.
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Steps 3 and 4: List Your Current Home for Sale and Find Your New Home
Most downsizers prefer to list their current home for sale before finding a new home. This is especially true for homeowners with a mortgage who would like to avoid paying mortgages on multiple properties if they buy a new home before selling the current home. But every homeowner is unique. If you’d like a personalized recommendation about whether you should list first or start your home search first, contact me; I offer no-cost, no-obligation consultations.
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- Consider getting a professional opinion from an experienced Realtor® about whether you should list first or buy first.
- Get your home market-ready. Check out my Information for Sellers page for an overview of the listing process and to claim your FREE copy of my “How to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar” guide!
- Start the search for your new home. My Information for Buyers page offers a solid refresher on the buying process. Or maybe you’re ready to relocate to a senior living community.
- Make sure you have an experienced real estate agent in your corner to market your current home, help you find the perfect new home, negotiate on your behalf, and guide the transaction smoothly through escrow.
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Step 5: Get Moving!
The final section of your downsizing home checklist is the big move and the start of your new life. Here it is in four manageable to-do items:
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- Pack the belongings you’re keeping.
- Pack a “First Night” kit with essential toiletries, clothing, and bedding.
- Hire professional movers for a low-stress move.
- Enjoy setting up your new life in your new home!
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When you’re ready to start on your downsizing home checklist, contact me. As the local downsizing specialist, my goal is to sell your current home quickly and for top dollar while simultaneously negotiating the best deal on your new home.
In the meantime, please take a look at my free guide to downsizing.
