Seniors Considering Downsizing: A Moving Checklist for Helping You Decide What Stays & What Goes
JoJo on May 1st 2007
(Part 5 of a 5-Part Series):
This is the tough part. Where do you begin if your current home is packed full of years of accumulation? How do I decide what stays and what goes? Here’s a simple checklist to help you in this process……and remember, it’s never too early to begin planning. Start by space planning to determine what will fit in the new home, whether it’s Senior Housing or Residential Housing. Sorting through your belongings:
- Start in rooms that will be easier (ie: not being used).
- Take it a room at a time = less overwhelmed.
- Start with larger items to decide how much space you need.
- Save the family photos & treasures for last.
- Call a family meeting to distribute personal belongings and share your memories about each item before giving it away.
- Determine what to keep, what goes to family & friends, what to donate, what to trash and what to sell (it’s OK to re-gift).
- When in doubt, throw it out. If you can’t bear to lose the memory of an item, take a picture of it before you let it go.
- Keep a list and mark all items.
What does go, arrange for an auction (including E-Bay), Garage Sale or Estate Sale.
Have a moving party and share the favorite memories of your home.
Pass on the history of your home to the new owner to keep the memories alive.
