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. If you are planning to downsize your home in Rome, here are eight 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. Remember, we just want to downsize your home, not your life!
1. Start Early
One of the most important tips for downsizing your home is to start early. Don’t wait until the last minute to start sorting through your belongings and packing. 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 Plan
Before you start packing, it’s important to create a plan for downsizing your home. 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, you may want to consider hiring a professional organizer to help you create a plan and stay on track.
3. Measure Your New Space if Possible
Before you start packing, make sure you know the dimensions of your new space. 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.
4. Get Rid of Unwanted Items
Downsizing is the perfect opportunity to get rid of unwanted items. Donating can be a super effective way of clearing out unwanted items. Many communities are in constant need of various items to support members of their communities. Whether you were affected by floods, fire, earthquakes, or any other natural disaster, places like the Salvation Army are always accepting donations. Common items include clothing, bedding, automobiles, appliances, and other household goods.
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. This will make unpacking in your new home much easier. Furthermore, there are tons of things in our houses that we do not use on an every-day basis. Pack these things away and you will likely be fine for a few months while in transition. You may even find out how little you use some items!
6. Have A Garage Sale
Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of unwanted items when downsizing your home. Start with looking into your municipalities rules on garage sales. Most Towns have a free, or heavily discounted day for garage sales. I would not expect to make serious money from a garage sale. People aren’t looking to spend money at garage sales, rather pick up a few knick knacks. Try not to sell a bunch of $100 items.
7. 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. Be aware of the storage bin trap. Before you know it, 7 years will have gone by and you have been to the storage bin two times. This is no good.
8. Get Professional Help
Finally, consider getting professional help when downsizing your home. Real estate agents at Homes By Cameron 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 and storage facilities.
At Homes By Cameron, our agents have a wealth of experience in the real estate industry. We’ve helped countless clients buy and sell homes in Rome, 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 Rome can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these seven tips and getting professional help from the agents at Homes By Cameron, 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 Rome! (315) 351-2765