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Downsizing is the act of reducing clutter and moving into a smaller home in order to simplify day-to-day living. Downsizing home specialists and realtors are available to make this process run as smoothly and simply as possible by helping with tasks such as decluttering, organizing, moving, and packing.
Senior Services > Downsizing and Realtors
For seniors, downsizing is the act of reducing clutter and moving into a smaller dwelling in order to simplify day-to-day living. There are a variety of benefits, including:
Often in the process of downsizing, a senior may move into a retirement community such as:
Other times, caregivers and family members assist in downsizing to prepare for a move into assisted living or a long-term care community.
Though downsizing ultimately leads to a simpler life, the process itself can be overwhelming. Tasks include decluttering, selling the current home, finding a new one, and finally moving, packing, and unpacking. Fortunately, downsizing home specialists and realtors are available to make this process run as smoothly and simply as possible.
Companies that specialize in moving and packing can be as involved in the downsizing process as their clients want. Some seniors simply need help with moving, while others prefer assistance with every step in the process: staff can help declutter, pack everything up, move, unpack, and arrange their client’s new residence. Companies may even assist with space planning in the new home. The National Association of Senior Move Managers has brought best practices to the industry.
Clutter and hoarding can especially be a problem for seniors, as a cluttered environment creates additional fall hazards. Decluttering experts provide an unbiased perspective to help clients decide which things they no longer need. They can help seniors figure out which belongings to keep while aging in place, which to pass on to family, and which to simply give away. In fact, most decluttering specialists can also provide donation center resources, beyond just Goodwill.
Though many realtors can assist with basic home-buying needs, those with a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) designation specialize in the real estate needs of maturing Americans. To earn this designation, realtors have to take a special SRES® course through the National Association of REALTORS®.
Though a senior may look to get rid of many belongings while downsizing, a lot of items may still have reasonably high value. Downsizing specialists can help clients sell their unwanted possessions, utilizing tools, for example, such as an onsite estate sale, online auctions, and neighborhood social media sites.
These specialists go through a client’s new environment to help figure out the best setup. Some may utilize floor plan apps and models that make it easier to visualize how a client’s furniture and belongings will work in the space.
Consider the following statements to decide if downsizing is a good fit for your needs:
– Kevin Harvick