Where Should San Diego Seniors Start When Downsizing Feels Overwhelming?

After 30 or 40 years in the same house, most seniors have a lifetime of belongings to sort through before a move. For many families in San Diego County, California, the hardest part is knowing where to begin.

Bryan Devore, Director of the Senior Division at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, helps seniors sell their homes and move into smaller homes or senior living communities. He says the people who downsize most comfortably tend to follow a few simple habits.

Start With One Drawer, Not The Whole House

The first thing that overwhelms people, Bryan says, is the size of the job. They picture every room, every closet, and every drawer at once and feel they have to get it all done right away.

“I tell people, don’t think about doing the whole house. Don’t think about doing a whole room or even a whole dresser,” he said. “Just think about doing a drawer. Do one drawer today and start getting some forward momentum.”

Each small win makes the next decision a little easier. How long the whole process takes depends on the person. Some seniors are ready to let go of most things and finish in about a week, while others need more time.

One of Bryan’s recent clients had turned his living room into a library. His collections included the first 250 editions of Mad magazine and more than 100 telephones from his years working for the phone company.

With professionals helping him sort, box, and move items, he sold or donated what he no longer needed in about a month. He kept his favorite issue of the magazine and set up a bookcase in his new two-bedroom apartment.

Ask Whether You Use It, Want It, Or Need It

The second challenge is emotional. Souvenirs from trips taken decades ago, family photos, and keepsakes all carry memories.

Bryan helps clients break each decision down with a few simple questions. Do you still use it? Could someone else appreciate it as much as you have, or even more?

He also asks clients whether they want an item or truly need it. A dining room table is a good example. A client may want to keep it, while a local nonprofit that furnishes apartments for women rebuilding their lives after leaving unsafe homes may need it more.

Clients who choose the organizations that will receive their belongings often find this part rewarding. “They feel really good that they’re doing good for other people as well,” Bryan said.

Clients rarely look back, either. “I can’t think of a situation where our clients have said, I really want my stuff back,” he said.

A Neutral Professional Guiding The Process

Adult children usually play a helpful role. They can take items that should stay in the family and encourage their parents along the way.

Not every adult child wants the family china or silverware, but when they do, clients tell Bryan they love seeing those things used and enjoyed. The same goes for photos and memorabilia passed down to the next generation.

Family conversations can also carry decades of history, and a parent may find it easier to hear advice from someone outside the family. That is why Bryan brings in experienced professionals who act as a neutral third party and help keep everyone focused on the plan.

Start When You Want To

Bryan’s top advice is to begin early. “Start when you want to, not when you need to,” he said. “It’s always harder to do under pressure.”

His second piece of advice is to get help. Seniors don’t have to do this alone. Senior move managers can handle the physical work of packing and moving while coaching clients through what to keep, sell, or donate.

Devore Realty Group partners with senior move management companies to offer free downsizing services to senior clients selling their homes. Those services cover floor planning for the new home, sorting and packing, and coordinating the sale or donation of items that won’t make the move.

Once the first drawer is done, the rest of the house starts to feel a lot more manageable.

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.