As we near the traditional Spring homeselling season, it seems that a lot of folks are thinking of 2 things: selling their homes and moving to a smaller place, or what is now referred to as downsizing the family home. This rite of getting rid of long-time items in preparation for the pre-retirement or retirement home & selling the homestead has always taken place. What feels different now is the sheer number of people doing it; the vast baby boomer generation (1946-1964) with 74.9 million people is in its prime years to make address changes, and is driving the exodus from the large, suburban family home to one-story, smaller homes or condos. Adding to the mix is the generation of people in their 80's and 90's, the boomers' parents, many of whom still need to get rid of their household belongings (many have already sold or transferred their realty), and we have two generations unloading stuff!
This would seem like a great time for younger people (generation X and millenials) to acquire free, well made items. However, many baby boomers and their parents are learning that younger generations aren't interested in furnishing their homes with what they see as large, ornate, unnecessary pieces, for several reasons, i.e. their homes may be too small to accomodate the furnishings, they prefer to remain mobile for new job or travel opportunities, tastes in furnishings have changed and/or many young people prefer to accumulate experiences rather than things. Regardless of the reasons, the stuff that the older generations have surrounded themselves with isn't appealing to the young.
So if family heirlooms aren't wanted by family, and homes still have to be emptied, then selling these items in garage sales or online, or donating them to charities may be the way to go.
There's a lesson in this for everyone: acquire items that you'll enjoy & use. If the kids love & want to keep it too, that's icing on the cake.
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