What Does A Senior Move Manager Do When You Downsize?

Moving from a longtime family home into a smaller home or senior living community involves more than selling the house. For many seniors in San Diego County, California, the move itself raises practical questions about furniture, packing, and what to do with everything that won’t fit.

Bryan Devore, Director of the Senior Division at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, brings in a senior move manager for clients who are selling their home and moving to a smaller space. “Their job is to be the support, be the hands, and be the emotional sounding board for our clients who are going through the process,” he said.

Here is what that support looks like from start to finish.

It Starts With A Floor Plan Of The New Home

The work begins with the floor plan of the new home, not the old one. The move manager helps clients decide which furniture to bring, starting with the largest pieces because they take up the most space.

“Most people think they can take more than they really can,” Bryan said. The floor plan shows clients, for example, that a dining room table may need to be swapped for a smaller one or that the bed fits better on a different wall.

It also opens up creative options. A table might be better suited to a new room, or a piece of furniture might take on a new purpose.

The plan is a guide, and clients are free to change their minds. Some decide a few days later to bring a different table, and that is normal. “It’s not done in pen,” Bryan said.

Sorting And Packing, One Area At A Time

Once the floor plan is set, the move manager works through the house: kitchen drawers and cabinets, dressers, closets, and the garage. Items going to the new home are packed and labeled.

Items staying behind are set aside to be donated or sold. Adult children are invited to come in and take anything they would like to keep in the family.

Based on client feedback, Bryan says packing is the part people appreciate most. Seniors packing on their own often find themselves moving the same items from drawer to box to pile without making much progress. Having an experienced team pack everything in a mindful way takes that work off their plate.

Moving Day: Furniture In Place And Boxes Unpacked

On moving day, the move manager tells the movers exactly where furniture and boxes belong, so nothing gets stacked in a corner. Because the same team packed and labeled everything, they know where each item is and can unpack quickly.

They set up the furniture, make the bed, put the nightstand back together, and organize the kitchen. Everyday items go in safe, easy-to-reach spots rather than on high shelves.

Then they walk the client through the new home and show them where everything is. If a client can’t find something later, the move manager is available to answer questions.

“The goal is within the first day or two to have people living in their home as a home,” Bryan said. That means clients can start enjoying their new lifestyle right away.

Taking Care Of Everything Left Behind

The last piece is handling what didn’t make the move. Depending on the situation, that can include donations, sales, an estate sale, or a final clear-out of the house.

Bryan says this step matters as much as the move itself. “You can’t really ever feel like you can move forward if you’re still a little bit attached to your past,” he said. When the leftover items are handled for them, clients can focus on their new home.

Devore Realty Group partners with senior move management companies to provide these services for senior clients selling their homes, whether they are moving into a senior living community or a smaller home. Its senior services also include three home sale options, so families can choose the path that fits their goals and timeline.

For seniors facing a big move, knowing that a team will handle the floor plan, the packing, and the unpacking can make the next chapter much easier to start.

Bryan Devore is a REALTOR® and Director of the Senior Division at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, in Carlsbad, CA, with 23 years of experience helping San Diego County seniors and their families through real estate transitions. He holds two professional designations, Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and Certified Trust and Probate Specialist, and hosts Senior Spaces, a TV show and podcast for families navigating downsizing, aging in place, and senior living decisions.

This article is based on information provided by the expert source cited above. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making any real estate or financial decisions.