Many of our clients have recently been looking for tips on how to tackle downsizing. Here at Linda Craft & Team we believe there are a few important tips to remember. With so many organizational benefits you can truly save time, relieve stress, free up space, and save lots of money.
Start Small
Remember that you don’t have start your whole house all at once. Think about picking a specific room or even an area in a room such as a closet to start at. Sometimes it is easier to start small then take on a huge task all at once. The easiest way to start is on rooms use don’t use as much and go from there. Also try and move from the biggest items to the smallest. Having a sorting method is important as well, such as a keep, trash, sell/donate piles.
Don’t Not Be Afraid To Get Rid Of It
We all know how difficult it is to part with certain belongings, but if you haven’t used or even remembered you had a particular item for over a year it is safe to assume you won’t be needing it. A great way to make some cash is eBay or Craigslist. From personal experience you can make some easy cash and get rid of your unwanted belongings pretty quickly. If you are living in a large neighborhood a garage sale is a great option. Donating is great too. So many local charities are in desperate need of supplies. Donate old books and instruments to local schools. Red Cross is always accepting furniture of fire victims, and Good Will is always accepting clothing. Donating your items is a great way to feel good about an overwhelming downsizing process.
Preserve Sentimental Items
Make sure you keep all your important sentimental items safe and stored in sealed containers. If you a lots of old photos it would be a good idea to get them converted to digital format so you have them easily accessible on your computer as well. Downsizing is an excellent time to get organized. Have different containers for photo albums, year books, etc. This way when you want to find a treasured item you can quickly and easily. Remember to keep items that my not be important now, but would be great for your children to have in the future such as old China or jewelry.
Concentrate On What Is Important
Try and keep a positive attitude through the entire process. Downsizing can be an emotional and overwhelming task but remember why you are doing it. De-cluttering and downsizing will help you free space and save money. Remember to work together. An item that my not be important to you could be extremely valuable to another member of your family. Remember to stay focused and not get stressed.
Downsizing is meant to be beneficial and not a burden to yourself and your family. If you have any questions, Linda Craft & Team, REALTORS® is available to give you advice when confronted during a stressful time. If you have any other questions, feel free to give us a call at (919) 235-0007