Is the
Thought of Downsizing Getting You Down?
A cosy, comfortable home – filled with your favorite
memories and treasures. You’ve watched your children
grow and prosper, and when the grandchildren visit, they
love to browse through the family portraits and snapshots
grouped on every surface. They’re thrilled that
you still have a basket of toys tucked under the coffee
table – all the stuff their mom or dad played with.
The sofas are covered with the lovely Afghans that you’ve
painstakingly knitted or crocheted over the years –
perfect for a nap in the afternoon.
Now you realize that it’s time to move into a smaller
home, a condominium or an assisted living community.
• Have the front steps become a challenge for your
arthritic knees?
• Does your house and yard require too much maintenance?
• Would you rather be out having fun with friends
and family?
The reality is – selling your home is not
as easy as you think.
The average buyer has little imagination when it comes
to projecting themselves into a resale home, especially
one that has been lived in for 20, 30 years or more. Even
though you spent countless hours painting and decorating
for yourselves, it means little to the young couple viewing
your home. They may enjoy a cursory glance at your old
novels and the cute family snapshots adorning the walls.
They may be awed by your china and crystal collection.
Sadly, it will never feel like their home. Your personal
style may interfere with a buyer‘s decision to stay
long enough to really study the “bones” of
the house. Potential buyers may feel as though they are
intruding in your private life as soon as they walk through
the door.
All real estate agents know the importance of de-cluttering
and de-personalizing and they’ll be the first to
tell you so when you put your house on the market. Sure
it’s difficult! But once that “FOR SALE”
sign goes up on the lawn you must start thinking
of your home as “just a house”. It is a product
that must be marketed to the masses. Buyers prefer a property
that needs little or no work – busy lifestyles demand
it.
You have to start packing anyway, so why not edit and
redistribute your belongings at this stage of the move
plan. You’ll save valuable time if you only pack
what you really intend to move. Sounds easy right?
The effort of clearing the clutter can take a
toll – physically and emotionally. Moving
at any time is difficult. Downsizing can be even more
stressful for all family members because of the emotional
attachment we have to long-time possessions. You do not
need to get rid of all your treasures. There are many
options for storage and display that will help you feel
at ease.
Aside from all the little things, it’s also time
to redefine your rooms.
• Make sure that the living room is warm and inviting.
• Stacks of newspapers and magazines are a big
no-no.
• Grandpa’s old recliner plunked in front
of the TV might look like a permanent fixture –
and scare away potential buyers.
• What about the dining room? Yes, it does make
a great hobby and craft table. You’ll have to put
the puzzle pieces and stamp collection away until the
house is sold.
• Set the table with some of your fine china so
everyone can see that it’s the perfect place for
entertaining.
• Keep personal items and medications out of sight
in the bedroom and bathroom.
Who can you turn to when your grown children
have moved away or are too busy with their careers? Where
can you find someone with a compassionate heart and an
objective eye to help you sort and edit?
A Certified Interior Redesigner may be exactly what you
need. They can:
• artfully arrange your furnishings to create intimate
conversation areas and focal points that highlight the
architectural selling features of the house;
• choose a neutral colour palette to refresh your
rooms;
• arrange an estate or yard sale – everything
from advertising to set-up, sale and clean-up;
• get you organized in your new home by placing
furniture and hanging art on move-in day so that you feel
settled immediately
Realtors’ statistics indicate that a house will
have the most viewings in the first 10 days that it is
on the market. Get it ready BEFORE the sign goes up. A
staged home sells faster, very near the asking price –
and you certainly deserve top dollar for your well loved
home.
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