Simple Downsizing Hacks For Seniors

Downsizing is really more than just a move, it's also a transition into a different way of life. This transition requires organization, planning and hard work. In most cases, the older you get the more difficult the downsizing process becomes.

Seniors may have lived in the same place for decades. This means they have accumulated a lot of stuff which can be difficult to deal with. It takes a lot of time to thoughtfully go through decades of memories and belongings and decide what needs to be done with each thing. This is where the downsizing process often bogs down. Another issue is that they have roots in their current neighborhood. The idea of leaving that all behind can be difficult as well.

As Realtors we often work with clients looking to downsize into a more manageable property and lifestyle. After spending some time with them we generally counsel them on what needs to happen to the property prior to listing. The property most likely needs decluttering and updating, this process can take weeks and in some cases months to complete. We often see these clients reach a state of overwhelm during this process and in some cases, they just shutdown, this can slow down the entire home selling and buying process for weeks if not months.

Traditionally the task of helping seniors move has fallen to family members, primarily the children. But today, many families are spread out and adult children have full time jobs. This makes preparing for a downsizing move even more difficult.

This is when we start to look for help from a “Senior Move Specialist”. These professionals help seniors deal with the difficulties associated with a downsizing move. They can handle every aspect of the move from planning to setting up the new residence.

They help deal with the multitude of logistics associated with a move. They help seniors move in a comfortable, safe and efficient manner.

Senior Move Managers

There are a number of Downsizing Mistakes you Should Avoid, one of the biggest is not looking for help. Downsizing is certainly easier with professional help and Senior Move Managers are well-trained to take care of the unique interests of seniors. They can help with everything including packing, decluttering, getting rid of your stuff, and helping you as you prepare to sell your house

There are many benefits to hiring a Move Manager. The primary benefit it that the keep the process moving, so often downsizing moves drag on for much longer than anyone involved expects. Senior Move Managers work from a schedule, they also have the ability to keep their clients on track by helping them make decisions and complete tasks, which keeps the move on schedule.

Since the process of downsizing is most often a voluntary decision. There can be a lack of urgency when it comes to preparing to sell the existing home. At the same time, your Realtor should have a strong opinion about when the ideal time is to put the home on the market. Adhering to the Realtors timeline will most likely yield the highest net profit from the sale of the home. Therefore it makes sense to work with both a Senior Move Manager and Realtor to handle this type of real estate transaction.

Challenges Related to Senior Downsizing

One of the biggest hurdles in a senior downsizing move is actually finding some place to go. Seniors generally want to look for single level living which is unfortunately often hard to find. The second challenge is finding that home in an area that offers the amenities and services they need.

Packing is another concern when it comes to downsizing. The objective is to get rid of all those things you no longer use or need. You are looking for simplicity and convenience to make your life easier and stress-free. Moving all of your current stuff to a new place is simply kicking the can down the road. At some point you'll need to deal with all the things you've collected and no longer use. This is where senior move specialist comes in, they can help you make the best decisions about what to do with those things you no longer need or use.

Things to Consider While Downsizing Your House

Plan before it’s Time

It's a good idea to plan your downsizing move early on. We often hear from clients that have downsized into a simpler lifestyle that they wish they had done it sooner.

Part of planning is exploring neighborhoods and housing types. Ideally, you'll want to be near friends and family but until you get out and start looking around, you won't really know if that’s possible. This is why it's important to work with a realtor that knows the areas you're interested in.

Another aspect to consider when downsizing is the floorplan of your new home, a “Senior Move Managers” can help with this as well. They can help give you an idea of both home and room sizes based on how much stuff you are planning on keeping.

What Can You Expect From Senior Move Managers?

Senior Move Managers can customize their service depending on your unique downsizing needs. You can choose the service depending on your specific requirements to make the transition easy and smooth for you. They will help you to choose the accessories, furniture, personal items that can fit your new home. They can help you to donate and sell unnecessary but valuable items.

The Senior Move Managers team will help you to pack your items and they will also oversee the move. In addition to packing, they will help in unpacking. They will unpack all the boxes and set them up in their respective rooms including bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, and even in the closet. They will organize everything on the same day. Your involvement will be minimal both in packing and unpacking.

In addition to the above, they will take care of the waste removal, shopping, cleaning, and helping you to prepare your new home. They can also help you to find an agent to sell your old home and get the best price for your property. In brief, you can say that senior movers can help in sorting and organizing your house downsizing. They will customize the downsizing depending on your specific needs. They will take care of the auction, buy-out, donation, consignment, and any other thing related to the profitable disposal of your unwanted items.

When Should You Hire Senior Move Managers?

You can hire Senior Move Managers whenever you are planning for downsizing. They are well-trained, experienced, and well-equipped. They can make downsizing easier, stress-free, smooth, and fast. Even if there is no additional help, they can take care of all your needs to make your downsizing hassle-free and more convenient. They will pack and unpack your belongings. Also, they will help you to get rid of the stuff and donate items. They can also be helpful to find the best deal for your current home.

Wrapping Up

Downsizing demands both physical and mental effort. However, it is important to make your life easier as you age. You can simply contact Senior Move Managers to take care of your house's downsizing needs. These experienced professionals will make moving smooth and hassle-free. If you are working with a Realtor and they don’t suggest a Move Manager, it might be in your best interest to have that conversation.

If you want to find out more about Senior Move Managers and how to find one, please

Visit the “National Association of Senior Move Managers” website. This is a great resource as you start to plan your downsizing move.