Downsizing is a big job. We make every aspect easier.

Costs are based on your timeline, the types of services you desire, where you are moving, and more. After our initial assessment, I’ll prepare a proposal that offers a detailed overview of services and costs. Generally, the response I hear from clients is, “Wow! Is that all?!”

Please note: If you list and sell your home through my brokerage, Pinnacle View Real Estate, some or all of the fees for these services may be discounted or waived.

Please reach out as soon as the idea of downsizing crosses your mind, even if it’s a year or more down the road. There is preliminary work we can do that will do away with some pressures when it is crunch time. If, by chance, you are downsizing very soon, please contact me today. There may be support that I can offer to lighten your load.

Remember: It’s always better to have these discussions when you WANT to downsize, not when you HAVE to.

Yes, of course. I love working with families, whether you’re local or across the country.

We do! Please schedule a free introductory call to discuss your situation.

Don’t worry. We’ll help you create a plan for everything!

In the meantime, here’s something to consider:
Senior Move Manager® Janine Willis of Good To Go Memphis explains a typical scenario…

An older couple moves out of state to be closer to their kids and grandkids. Their move manager helps them plan how much space will be available in their next place and encourages them to select the furnishings that will fit and their favorite accessories to make them feel at home.

Next, the couple invites their adult children to choose from the nice pieces that aren’t going with them. Inevitably, family and friends will happily take many quality and useful household items (even if they don’t need them, but that’s a different post!). The cute mid-century things? Those got sold to the neighbor. The landscaping equipment and tools? No, the son-in-law came and took all that. The KitchenAid mixer?… you get the point.

This is the best-case scenario; the couple is happy to see their treasured belongings going on to have a new life, and it helps reduce the time and expense needed to empty the home completely.

But now, what’s left? A few odds and ends that have very little value.

Many of these items seem usable and pretty good—why do they have so little value? It comes down to a simple calculation of supply and demand, and we have some factors affecting those now that we didn’t 10 or 15 years ago.

The market for second-hand household goods is flooded because, for the first time, we have two cohorts downsizing—both the 80-and-up crowd and the Baby Boomers getting out of their big houses to save money and lead more simple lifestyles. So, the supply of household goods is way up over past years.

But our young people are marrying later; many can’t even afford a house now with all their student loans, and they’re into minimalism. So demand is down. Especially now, Covid-19 puts an additional wrinkle in the secondary market and almost everyone’s ability to rehome treasured items. Even thrift stores sometimes have difficulty selling some of this “stuff.” Of course, certain things are in demand and very collectible. But usually, those are not the things that are left over!

If you are downsizing and emptying the contents of your home, our advice is to start with optimistic goals that don’t include making money on your unneeded belongings. The focus should be on rehoming your quality items with family and friends who want and need them, but also recognizing that there is likely little value in the leftovers.

Letting go of the idea that everything you own must be valued and sold for a profit will free up a tremendous amount of mental and emotional energy. It can also free you up to focus on the thing that is likely in high demand and could be sold for top dollar: Your house!

It can be hard to watch clients’ needs change over time. Please reach out if someone you serve could benefit from a conversation with me about downsizing. Until then, browse this guide I created for professionals who serve seniors: 5 Signs Your Client Is Ready to Downsize. In it, you’ll read about how we can have an anonymous situation assessment call where you tell me about your client’s circumstances, and I can give you ideas about what next steps you can recommend.

No situation is too unusual for a conversation! I have resources for most things, so please contact me no matter what you’re up against.

Even if you’re outside our immediate service area, I can still guide you through the downsizing process virtually. Whether you’re sorting through belongings, organizing for a move, or planning the layout of your new space, we’ll work together step-by-step via video calls and shared resources. You don’t have to do it alone—let’s ensure your transition is smooth, no matter where you are.