Creating a Realistic Downsizing Timeline As You Journey to New Beginnings
Are you thinking about downsizing from your family home? Downsizing is a significant logistical and emotional journey. A key to minimizing the stress and making it a more positive experience is relatively simple: a proactive, well-planned timeline.
Here is a Timeline designed to help guide you through your downsizing journey:
Phase 1: Define the “Why” and “Where” (6 months to 1 year before moving). This is the most crucial phase in setting the foundation for your downsizing journey.
Don’t start by sorting your furniture & belongings when you’re not clear on where and what size your new home will be.
Start by envisioning your new home. Have open conversations to clarify the goals for your move. Is your goal to have less home maintenance, to move to a senior community for healthcare and rich social & hobby enrichment opportunities, or to be closer to family?
Build Your Team: Assemble the right professionals.
1) A Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) bringing knowledge of the unique market dynamics.
2) A Financial Planner to help you understand the impact of the sale of your home and what it means for your future residential options, so that it makes financial sense based on your overall financial picture and objectives.
3) A Senior Move Manager, like WayMaker, who has professional expertise in the downsizing & move management process. They will work alongside you to orchestrate the process, from planning to unpacking as well as solutions for the items not moving with you, while providing respect and compassion throughout the transition.
Get a Floor Plan: Get a layout of your new home. This should be easily available if moving into a senior living community. Coordinate this with your Senior Move Manager as they can provide visuals on how your furniture and belongings will translate into your new space. The floor plan is a valuable tool, shifting the sorting question from “Can I part with this?” to “Is this furniture piece a must-have, will it fit and what function will it have?”
Phase 2: The Decluttering Process (2-6 Months Before Moving). Now the physical work begins. Coordinate a well-thought-out timeline with your Senior Move Manager. The key here is to build momentum. Get your family and friends involved, too!
Start Easy: Begin sorting in non-sentimental areas, such as the coat closet, a guest room, garage, basement, or linen closets. This builds confidence for more personal spaces later.
Use a System: We love using a variety of colored tape to identify what to Keep, Donate, Sell, Gift to Family or Friends, or Trash/Recycle.
As you go through your belongings, place a piece of tape on each item based on the decision made for its future.
For those items you are ready to donate or trash/recycle, go ahead and arrange for that accordingly.
Set timelines and dates with your friends and family to come and pick up the pieces they want or you are gifting them.
Whether you use tape or labeled boxes, it’s essential to bring structure and clarity to the decluttering decision-making process.
You’ll notice that you begin to feel lighter and a sense of accomplishment as decisions are made and your home is more organized and less cluttered.
Phase 3: Home Prep & Final Logistics (1-2 Months Out). The focus now shifts to the transition.
Target your future home: Have you identified what you want to buy? Have you put down a deposit in a senior living community for a 1 or 2 Bedroom apartment or cottage?
Prepare the House & Consider Impact of Sale: Collaborate with your Realtor & Senior Move Manager to address minor repairs, perform deep cleaning, and depersonalize the home to prepare it for sale.
Will you sell your home empty and have it professionally staged? Will you be living in the home during the listing and selling period? Do you want to sell your belongings through an online auction or an estate sale? Pro-tip: Online auctions and estate sales are best executed after your move, so allow for that in your timeline.
Have honest conversations with your realtor and your Senior Move Manager about what can be accomplished if you receive an offer with a quick closing date versus a 30-day closing period.
Pack Strategically: Work with your Senior Move Manager by beginning to pack non-essential items. Clearly label every box with its contents and destination room.
Will you need temporary storage? Can pre-packed boxes be stored in the basement? These are questions that may arise.
Phase 4: The Move & Settling In (Moving Week & Beyond). Boxes, Tape, Paper, Movers, etc.
Execute the Move: Your Senior Move Manager has already identified a moving company in this process. Now it’s time to work with them to schedule the packing days, determine the move day, and create an unpacking vision.
Remember that you likely have some high-value and sentimental pieces that will need to be moved. Many moving companies and senior move managers will require you to move these pieces yourself, so be prepared to manage that.
Settling In: Based on the schedule for your move day and the volume of work, will you spend the first night in your new home or with family?
Identify your priorities - often, the top priority is unpacking the primary bedroom and bathroom first, and having key essentials in the kitchen.
For others, having a favorite chair in place, a functioning TV, and internet access is vital during those first days of a move. Plan accordingly by scheduling cable technicians and having your TV wall-mounted.
Closing Thoughts
Your downsize isn’t about losing a home; it’s about gaining freedom, safety, enhanced relationships & healthcare, and a lifestyle expressly designed for you.
By engaging in thoughtful planning along your journey, you can transform an overwhelming downsizing experience into a successful and empowering life transition.
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WayMaker Downsizing & Move Management
The definition of WayMaker is the Pathfinder.
We are here to assist you along your journey to new beginnings.
Melanie at (770) 954-6622
Your Journey is Our Mission.