One aspect of downsizing that makes it hard to ‘pull the trigger’ and list your home for sale is deciding what to do with all your belongings.
The whole point of downsizing is to move to a smaller place, but when you've been in a big home for many years, odds are you have accumulated a lot of things that won't fit in your new place.
Let’s have a look at some options for what to do with your things when you downsize:
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Do an audit
As you’re preparing to downsize, the best way to start is to do an audit of your things to see what stays and what goes.
There will naturally be a lot of things that need to come with you, pots and pans and dishes, white goods and all sorts of essentials. Then there are precious items that mean too much to pass on.
Creating categories can be a good place to start. For example, instead of going through shelf by shelf, start with vases, winter coats, bath towels, crockery etc. It will be easier to make decisions when you see how many of each thing you have.
Finding new homes for your things
With your items audited and sorted, you can go through the following options to decide what goes where.
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Throw away: Some things are not worth passing on. For the sake of the environment, be selective about what you throw out, but there will inevitably be items that have to go. A tip run or two or hiring a skip bin will see them gone. You might be able to find a local provider that recycles textiles and clothing, or you can head to your local Officeworks to drop off old electronic devices.
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Sell: Other items, like furniture, white goods or even books may be worth trying to sell. There are a lot of online platforms these days for selling goods. You could list them on eBay, Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace.
Otherwise, there’s always the trusty garage sale, or you could check your local listings for a nearby car boot sale.
If you have items of value such as antiques, a dealer might be interested in having a look, but be prepared to accept low offers.
- Charity: For items that are not worth trying to sell but are too good to throw away, there are always op-shops and other charities looking for goods. Books, clothes, furniture and children’s toys, charities will be happy to take a good portion of items off your hands.
Op-shops aren’t the only options either; local hospitals, daycares, nursing homes, schools and other charitable associations are often happy to take donations of different kinds. Have a look around your community to see where your things will do the most good. There may be a buy, sell, swap or local donations Facebook page.
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Gifting: Of course, the other people who may benefit from your surplus stuff are your friends and family. Invite them around and see what they might like or could use. In some instances, you may wish to pass on heirlooms so they remain in the family.
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Store it: Hiring a storage container should be a last resort when you downsize, but it can save you if there are things you simply can’t get rid of but won’t have room for in the new place. It can also be a smart option if you need to downsize quickly and want to sell your old things over time, especially if you have large furniture or collectibles that will fetch a decent price. That way, you still have access to them, and once they have all gone, you can get rid of the storage container.
Downsizing tips
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Ask yourself if you have used or even thought of the item in the last twelve months. If not, it can probably go.
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Have a ‘red, orange, green’ system. Get rid of red, keep green and leave orange to think about and sort through again before you move.
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If you really love something but it has to go, consider taking a photograph of it. If it is a belonging from a departed loved one, think about displaying some pictures of them instead of holding onto their things.
Downsizing can be a very freeing experience once you have overcome the initial hump of saying goodbye to things. With fewer belongings, you need less space and less storage so you can enjoy a smaller home and a more simple life.
Find your next home as a downsizer by searching the database here.
IMPORTANT: Any tips or advice contained in this article are general in nature and you should always seek professional advice from expert advisers about your individual situation before making significant financial decisions.
