Special offer

The ABCs of Downsizing: Helping Clients Navigate the Process

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Royal LePage Dynamic RE / Pro Ledger Bookkeeping Software

We know that downsizing can be stressful for homeowners, especially if they have a lot of personal belongings that they need to get rid of. 

Here are a few tips to help clients downsize:

1. Focus on the positives

One of the biggest challenges of downsizing is the emotional attachment that people often have to their possessions. To help your clients overcome this hurdle, focus on the positive aspects of downsizing. For example, downsizing can lead to a simpler and more organized lifestyle, as well as reduced expenses.

2. Categorize possessions

To make the downsizing process more manageable, it's helpful to categorize possessions into three groups: keep, donate, and discard.

Encourage your clients to be honest with themselves about what they really need and use. It's also important to consider the sentimental value of items, as some possessions may be difficult to part with even if they aren't used frequently.

3. Get rid of duplicates

Over time, many people end up with more than one set of dishes or bedding, for example. Encourage your clients to keep only the items they really need and use, and to donate or discard duplicates. This will help to simplify the downsizing process and reduce the amount of clutter in their new home.

4. Consider hiring a professional organizer

If your clients feel overwhelmed by the process of downsizing, you might want to suggest that they hire a professional organizer. These experts can give helpful advice on how to sort and organize things and how to make the most of storage space in a small home. 

5. Make it enjoyable

Finally, it's important to make the downsizing process as enjoyable as possible for your client. This can be done with fun things like sorting parties, where your client's friends and family can help them get rid of clutter and organize their things.

You can also suggest fun do-it-yourself projects, like making a memory board or scrapbook, to help your client remember their most important events. 

What downsizing tips have you given your clients?  Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

Comments (12)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Steve... excellent suggestions. Personally, I never talk about down-sizing, as it does carry a bit of a negative connotation. I always talk about right-sizing.

Feb 24, 2023 06:04 AM
Steve Penner

Good morning Nina, very good suggestion about "right sizing" .. perspective is so important. Thanks for the comment.

 

 

Feb 24, 2023 06:11 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Steve - I believe you can accomplish much and make life a better experience by accentuating the positive.  When that combines with reality, the better continues to improve.  

Feb 24, 2023 06:13 AM
Steve Penner

Thanks Michael.. well said.

 

Feb 24, 2023 06:24 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Steve,

Just had that conversation with clients yesterday. They are moving to a smaller home near one of their children to help out with child care. They still have furniture etc. belonging to their parents and their kids have no interest in acquiring any of the furniture, china etc. Its hard to accept but they are working on it.

Feb 24, 2023 06:32 AM
Steve Penner

Hi Dorie,  can be  challenging to downsize, each story is unique.. but good you can be part of that conversation.. certainly added value.

 

Feb 24, 2023 06:41 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Great advice, Steve, not only to help clients but to apply in our own lives. While my wife and are not downsizing, we do reevaluate the need for some of our belongings from time to time in order create space and improve our surroundings.

Feb 24, 2023 07:21 AM
Steve Penner

 yes.. I think would be good to purge on a regular basis. Good comment.

 

Feb 24, 2023 08:01 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Steve,
Downsizing, or right sizing as Nina Hollander, Broker calls it can be a challenge. I just finished doing that for my SIL, who had to be moved to an Adult Family Home. It was almost like a complete liquidation of her things because she has so little room for anything there. I'm still dealing with a few boxes of personal stuff in storage.

BTW: Love the graphic!

Feb 24, 2023 07:59 AM
Steve Penner

Just went thru this several time with my Mother in last 3 years.. as she moved from a house, to a suite, to a care home.  Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

Feb 24, 2023 08:02 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Steve and great information on downsizing to share with us here in the Rain.  Can I re-blog this in the coming weeks?

 

Feb 24, 2023 08:17 AM
Steve Penner

yes, please do.. thanks Will.

 

Feb 24, 2023 09:30 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Steve. People don't really downsize, they really want tp "proper size" and it can be enjoyable or a horrendous experience. Great points! Enjoy your day.

Mar 04, 2023 05:22 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Excellent tips for those who need to get rid of some possessions. It's not an easy thing to do for many.!

Mar 04, 2023 05:30 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I am so glad that Carol Williams repeated your blog post since not everyone read it the first time around! 

Mar 04, 2023 02:18 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Good advice, Steve.

Downsizing can be a real challenge - emotionally and otherwise - and it can take time. I have worked with a couple of sellers who had been in their homes for over 40 years, and the task was daunting. And time consuming.

Jeff

Mar 06, 2023 08:06 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

There are many things to consider when making the downsizing decision. Great post on this topic.

Mar 06, 2023 08:51 PM