Goodbye Clutter, Hello Buyers!
Without a doubt, one of the toughest challenges involved with selling a home and moving is dealing with all the STUFF that has accumulated over the years! Most people don’t plan to take it all with them. They know they need to sort through all their possessions and decide what to keep and what to get rid of. This is especially important when you plan to downsize! This can be an absolutely overwhelming and paralyzing thought, especially if you are limited on time and energy. Yard sales are very hard work, furniture is hard to sell, and uh oh…. Don’t forget about the storage in the attic, garage and the shed!
Fortunately, there are professionals who make their living helping families with this overwhelming chore. These folks are worth their weight in gold and can be a lifesaver in helping you accomplish your moving plans! Let’s explore the top three categories we tend to work with the most:
Professional Organizers
A Certified Professional Organizer is one of my favorite types of people to refer to my clients. They are not just great for organizing your office or pantry. Our clients hire them prior to moving to help sort things into "keep, sell, donate, recycle or trash." They can even help you pack, take care of donations and hold an estate sale! A great professional organizer will gently keep you on task when you find it challenging to sort through items that hold sentimental value, or if you have trouble throwing things away. They are endlessly patient and understanding of the emotions we have about our homes and things.
Move Managers
A Move Manager is wonderful for helping with the logistics of downsizing. Even if you're moving to another state, they can help you choose the furniture that will fit in your new floor plan, coordinate the movers for you and even help you pack. They will meet you at your new home to get you all unpacked and moved in. Finally, they will help you sell, donate, store, or throw away anything that you left at your old house, following your instructions and wishes.
Clear-Out Services
A clear-out or junk removal service is great if you just need help clearing out the items from the house you don't want, especially if you have everything presorted or if you have already moved out and left unwanted items behind. They will take care of donations, recycling and finally garbage hauling. They make every effort to limit the amount that goes into the landfill!
So now you know that you don’t have to do this all yourself! If you’re worried about the cost, you can utilize Compass’s “pay at closing” service called “Compass Concierge” if that would be helpful. We know the right people, and together we can manage even the biggest moves! Reach out if you'd like a referral to any of these types of professionals.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
Kirsten Reilly, Broker Associate
(408) 835-2962
