Are you just becoming an empty nester or is your home slowly taking on dust in rooms you never use? Almost everyone reaches a point where they need to downsize, just don't know where to start. Are you planning to move to a smaller home were in the Upper Valley of New Hampshire or Vermont, or the Lake Sunapee Region of NH? Are you are thinking, if I had a smaller home here, I could also have a smaller home there also. I could travel. I have helped many Sellers and Buyers through this process. Are you prepared to downsize your home? The list below may help.
1. Time Over the years of owning a home we collect, we espier to our space. We also have people move from our homes, when they move usually they are not able to take all that they have accumulated with them, so we become storage for our loved ones stuff. When people call me they usually have a need to sell now. It's not fair to think you can get rid of decades' worth of keepsakes, furniture and just plain stuff in only a week or two. I want you to give yourself a few months at least for downsizing. In our area the winter months are a perfect time for downsizing, sitting by the fire going through papers on a cold day.
2. Your things have value to another person Today online yard sale sites are all over the place in our area. Take a picture, post that picture, with a price, the buyer will come to your door. If you don't want to be bothered with pictures and publishing, I have people who will take it away and do it for you. Recycling as much as possible is my saying, we live in a throw away world. Donating your goods to local resale stores that help the community. Many will pick up large items at your door. Listen is one of my favorites.
3. Contact family members As parents we keep boxes of trophies, artwork, report cards and home videos for each child. Invite your kids, nieces and nephews or grandchildren to the house, go through the memories, let them decide what is important to keep. Tell everyone ahead of time that anything they want to keep needs to leave with them that day, have plastic totes available for them to fill. Any items left will be recycled.
If you have large items that you are storing for family members who are not able to come to go through items, we have storage facilities for $100 a month. You can rent the unit, pay several months rent, and send the information to the family member who's items are in the unit, let them know things are safe, rent is paid until ? Giving them time to go through items or pay the storage takes the burden off you.
4. Paperwork Most people save tax returns and old paperwork forever. Until we move we don't realize how many years we have saved. I moved recently and found 15 years of tax returns. Winter is a good time to go through paperwork especially if you have a wood stove, burn it to protect your identity. You only need to save 7 years return according to the IRS. No wood stove, make sure you shred all the documents you recycle.
5. Get started by paring down items without sentimental value To really get started with a bang, start with all the extras that we save in the kitchen and bathrooms. Going through the back up stock, donating to a local food pantry or thrift store. It is so much easier to recycle extra baking dishes that you may use once a year if you are lucky, or extra soap or shampoo, then it is to recycle your son's box full of comic books. You want to feel successful from the start, these rooms usually are an easy start.
6. If you don't wear it, donate it. Our closet oh my. We all know "everything old becomes new again someday," You're downsizing, you don't want to move it. With very few exceptions, you should get rid of any clothing items you haven't worn in the last year years. An easy way to work through this process if you have given yourself time is to go into your closet and turn all your hangers hooks side out. When you wear something hang it back hook side in. After a while you will see the pattern of what you are currently wearing and what needs to be weeded and recycled to Listen. If you're recently retired, your recycled suits and clothing will help someone who will start wearing them all over again.
7. No "maybe" pile When going through closets, follow this rule—"only handle it once." Avoid the "maybe" pile, this pile adds hours when it's finally time to load the moving truck
8. Furniture Downsizing usually means your family dining room set may not fit your new home. Also talk with a moving company get an estimate on moving costs, you will be surprised how much it cost today. When your house is on the market you don't want empty rooms, but you also don't want a buyer to be intimidated by your stuff. Less is more when buyers are looking at your home. Again Listen will pick up unwanted items and recycle them to people who will use them. Moving can give you a fresh start, you don't have to bring it with you. Downsizing is a great time to start fresh with modern couches, chairs and tables that suit your new home.
9. How to get started Upsizing or downsizing, I am more than happy to meet with you in advance of your listing agreement. I can help you determine a fair market price for your home as is. I can help guide you toward the fixes or remodeling that will give you the highest bang for your buck when selling. I can connect you with professional who I know and use on a regular basis, inspectors, painting, upgrading, even remodeling. I am ready to be on your side email to Deb@uvmaxre.com or give me a call 603-381-3977 today.
I am never to busy for your referrals
*The listings in the chart above are subject to errors, omissions, and changes without prior notice. Information was downloaded from NNEREN. RE/MAX Upper Valley may or may not be the listing agent for these properties. Additional properties not on MLS may be available and not referenced
*Your information is not confidential until you have entered into an agreement for representation
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Thank you for your time;
Deb Roberts CHMS
RE/MAX Upper Valley Partners
Upper Valley Realtor of the Year 2010
| mobile: 603-381-3977 | www.DebHome4U.com | 603-298-8900
Licensed in New Hampshire and Vermont
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