50+ Lifestyles

Don’t Let Downsizing Overwhelm

By Anne Coffman
Marketing Director at Ridgecrest Village

Right now, the real estate market is hot, and houses are selling quicker than ever before. There are people who would love to sell their house but are overwhelmed by or just don’t know how to go about downsizing, especially a family home that they have lived in for 40 or more years.

If you are thinking of downsizing, here are some questions to ask and some tips for starting the process of downsizing. What are your reasons for downsizing? What opportunities will downsizing create? What are you most excited about and the most nervous about in this downsizing process?

Here are several methods that you can use during downsizing. The 4-box method where everything you want to get rid of goes into one of 4 boxes, keep, donate, trash/recycle and sell. The KonMari Method: If an item no longer “sparks joy” then it’s time to get rid of it.

When you start go through one room at time. As you go through items ask yourself, do you use this item? Does it work? Have you used it lately? If you are moving, will it fit into your new house?

If an item is sentimental, consider keeping it in the family. Ask a family member if they would like it and schedule a pickup. Consider taking a photo of those items so you can look at the photos from time to time after you have given it away.

Consider selling or donating non-sentimental items to an organization such as Goodwill, Salvation Army and Disabled American Veterans that will put your donation to use.

You should start the downsizing process as soon as possible to give yourself time to properly sort through your house without feeling overwhelmed. You want to give yourself at least 3 months before the planned move, but honestly, the sooner the better.

Don’t let the process overwhelm you, if all else fails consider turning to professional help – there are professionals who can assist you with the process. We have several resources we are happy to share with you.

We invite you to consider making Ridgecrest your new home. To schedule a visit and a private tour give us a call at (563) 388-3563.

Anne Coffman is Marketing Director for Ridgecrest Village in Davenport, Iowa. For more information about Ridgecrest Village, contact Anne at 563-388-3215