YOUR LIFE IS ABOUT TO CHANGE

Needing less space can be a sensitive topic as it’s often the result of a contracting household or contracting income. However, it also can be a time of brand new opportunities and a chance to do something different. I am sensitive to the changes life can bring and work hard to be supportive as a confidant, as well as your trusted real estate agent, because after all, it’s about the person more than it is about the sale.

P JOHN MENTIS |Realtor®

1. Start Early.

Give yourself plenty of time for this process, because it will inevitably take longer than you expect. Take your time, and don’t try to sort through your entire house in one day or weekend. A couple of weeks to a month is a more realistic timeline. Take it one room at a time, and take breaks throughout.

2. Decide what stays and what goes

First things fi rst, you need to decide what to keep, sell or simply get rid of. Make a list of items in every room and categorize accordingly. Don’t forget the attic and/or basement!

3. Eliminate rooms you won’t have in your new home.

If you’re moving to a smaller space, there will be rooms that you no longer have, like a garage or offi ce. Nearly everything in those spaces will need to be sold, donated, tossed, or relocated to other rooms.

4. Have a plan for moveouts before your estate sale

Organize a place for things to go that don’t sell: donations to local charities, second-hand stores, recycling, gifting, or disposal.

5. Allow some time to reminisce.

It’s OK to pause and let the nostalgia take over for a bit. Cry if you need to, or move on to another room and come back. This is why you started early!