Whenever anyone is facing a major project, the common advice we almost always receive is to “start early.” Maybe it sounds generic, but when downsizing your home, a head start really can make a world of difference. 

Instead of a hectic, rushed process full of stress and last-minute disruptions, you could enjoy a seamless transition that feels perfectly logical and straightforward. 

How much time will you need? The specific answer varies, but generally speaking, the more breathing space you leave yourself, the better. If you think you need three months, make it six if you can. 

In this post, we’ll outline a few of the many benefits of beginning sooner rather than later. We’ll also provide you with some practical tips to motivate you and help you get the best outcome when you are ready to list your home.

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Beginning a Multi-Step Process

Most retirees are at a different stage from other buyers and sellers. Think of it this way: a first-time home buyer in Toronto only has one transaction to deal with, which is complex enough. 

When downsizing a house that you’ve lived in for a long time, you have multiple transactions and decisions ahead of you.

  • You are selling your existing home, which is a project in and of itself. 
  • At the same time, you are also working through the details of finding your new house. 

Next steps could mean a more manageable condo or a bungalow with everything on one level. Alternatively, you may be searching for a rental unit so you never have to worry about repairs or yard work again. Or in some cases, you’re making arrangements to spend 6 months out of every year in a tropical destination.

Whatever your path looks like, it will require some extensive planning, and it isn’t going to happen all at once. As real estate agents, our expert advice is simple: start early and give yourself even more time than you think you need.

Looking for more tips for a positive downsizing experience? You’ll find plenty in the posts below:

Decluttering Now Leads to a Successful Sale Later 

Often, when faced with a life-changing transition (like downsizing your home), it’s a good idea to tackle the hardest parts first. The legalities and financials of a real estate transaction seem complicated, but they are at least practical. 

Decluttering is a different story. 

Think of how many items and belongings you collect in a single year. Now multiply it by how many years you have lived in the home.

In sheer practical terms, you have your work cut out for you. When emotions get involved, the task gets even more challenging.

It happens to the best of us. One minute, everything is going smoothly and on schedule. Next, you come across a souvenir from your favourite family vacation or the trophy your child won when they placed first in a hockey tournament. 

Suddenly, you’re on a journey down memory lane. Out come the photo albums, and wait, what were you doing?

It’s easy to get distracted when trying to clean and organize a house. The real question is exactly how much paraphernalia do you have to remind you of those precious memories? 

  • Taking one or two keepsakes to your new home would be nice. 
  • If you have to sort through boxes and boxes of treasures in every closet and under every bed to choose what matters most, that is going to take some time.

Yet another reason to begin decluttering now, well in advance of listing your home. Sorting through your belongings is a sentimental process for almost everyone, and emotions and deadlines do not always mix.

Thinking of downsizing in Midtown Toronto? Start by viewing some of our featured listings. 

Define Your Decluttering Style 

The amount of stuff you have isn’t the only factor when estimating how long decluttering will take. We all have different personalities, and some people will be faster than others even if they have more items to sort through.

These are some of the different approaches we have seen:

A few people are extremely efficient and no-nonsense. Once they put their mind to getting organized, they do not stop until the house is thoroughly cleaned top to bottom.

Some homeowners will take one look at everything lying around, then reconsider whether they really need to downsize after all. Or maybe they can just put everything in storage and call it a day. Out of sight, out of mind!

Most of us will plug away and get it done at some point. We just need time, almost always longer than we first estimated.

Then, there is the delegator. This homeowner instantly sees that the project is too big for one person, so they bring in a small army of friends and family. Many hands make light work, as the saying goes. 

Asking for help is actually an excellent strategy as it eliminates nearly every problem. You won’t get bogged down with emotions, and your house can be a perfect, clean canvas faster than you think. If you work with our experienced Midtown real estate team, we can make some recommendations for professional cleaners to ease your burden. 

A seamless, successful sale can help empower your next steps, whatever they may look like. The posts below can help:

Your Home Becomes More Desirable

If you feel unmotivated, remember that the results from your transaction are largely dependent on the impression your house makes on potential buyers. 

You may or may not need a few repairs before going on the market. However, a spotless and clutter-free home is always non-negotiable. 

Once you see how much better your house looks,  you may realize you don’t need as many renovations as you previously thought. With a fresh coat of paint and some thoughtful staging, you could be well on your way to a successful sale and a straightforward transition. 

It’s never too early to reach out and talk strategy for your home sale. Our Midtown Toronto real estate agents are here for you right from the beginning. Get in touch today at david@batorigroup.com, bobby@batorigroup.com or call (416) 485-7575 with any questions.