Decluttering makes relocating easier for everyone—and less expensive as well. It is also beneficial for individuals who wish to live more simply in their existing location. In fact, homeowners who have less clutter and are more deliberate about what they bring into their house report improved emotional and financial wellness.
Many people realized the sense of doing so during the pandemic when they were stuck at home and pondered, "Why do I have all this stuff that I never use?"
Now, in the depth of winter, when many people are once again trapped indoors for long periods of time, is a fantastic moment to encourage clients to start. Encourage them to think of it as a progressive journey rather than feeling pressed to complete it all at once.
True effective—and long-lasting—decluttering is a multistep procedure that differs depending on the individual's environment. Those who have inherited a room full of brown furniture from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as stacks of books, photo albums, crystal, and other items, may feel overwhelmed if they don't want or can't fit these furnishings into their home or apartment, or if they can't find consignment shops interested in selling pieces, often because they have so much similar from others looking to unload possessions.
The following toolkit is provided as a resource to help anyone begin their decluttering journey.
Share What Experts Say
With her first book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo established herself as a world-renowned expert on the benefits of decluttering. It touted the merits of possessing fewer possessions in order to have more space to showcase possessions that bring delight. Kondo went on to publish several books, including one for children, and created two Netflix shows, "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo" and "Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo." She has launched a KonMari online store and a certified consultant training company (link is external).
If the Marie Kondo technique doesn't bring you joy, there are other options, such as the "Swedish Death Cleaning," which entails getting rid of everything unnecessary in order to relieve others of the chore of disposing of a loved one's stuff after they've died. According to Margareta Magnusson, author of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Make Your Loved Ones' Lives More Pleasant, the practice conveys a message of concern for our heirs.
Resources(link is external) abound for individuals seeking more than decluttering and are interested in living a minimalist lifestyle.
Support The Downsizers!
Even if moving isn't on the horizon, decluttering is a good idea for a variety of reasons. For starters, you never know when you might need to relocate. An intentional approach to decluttering well before relocating becomes a consideration that reduces the stress of the moving process when it ultimately occurs. This can save time packing, and money on relocating, and assist in reducing the amount of new living space needed. Even before it's time to relocate, there's the listing procedure to consider. According to Christopher Matos-Rogers, AHWD, GREEN, associate broker with Coldwell Banker Realty in Atlanta, decluttered settings assist in giving a better picture, which helps boost sales.
According to Barry Izsak, an Austin, Texas-based moving and relocation expert and founder of PackingMovingUnpacking, an online service(link is external) that helps those moving to find movers in their area, while many find it tempting to put off the difficult decisions about what to keep and what to toss until after they move. "This is especially important for those moving long distances.," he said. "Remind these clients of their new environment." "They might be able to get rid of most of their winter gear, as well as that snow blower," he says.
Understand When To Suggest Professional Assistance
If a homeowner is unable to complete the process on their own, Izsak recommends engaging a certified member of the National Association of Professional Organizers or the National Association of Specialty and Senior Move Managers, preferably one with years of expertise. As a former NAPO president, Izsak claims that the national hourly pay for professionals often runs between $50 and $100, depending on their location.
Rhea Becker, who works as the Clutter Queen(link is external) in Boston, says many of her clients enjoy how experts speed up the process by keeping them focused on maximizing earnings and avoiding digressions over each object's history. "With a professional, you have the best chance to cut the time and get some money on the table since they know what will sell," she said.
Sort Your Items Into Categories
Whether your clients hire a professional or do it themselves, it is helpful to have them put each item in a specific area of their home into one of five groups: keep store, sell, donate, or throw. According to Izsak, the litmus test he applies and communicates with clients is to save an object if it meets one of three criteria: it is helpful, beautiful, or loved. Becker recommends that homeowners take images of beloved items that are tough to part with in order to create a visual memory that they can remember rather than keeping the item itself. Here's some specific assistance you can provide for each pile:
Sell
Both midcentury modern furniture and contemporary art are popular among purchasers of all ages, especially if they are of exceptional quality and in good shape. Make a list of estate sale specialists and consignment stores in your area that are well-known for their honesty. However, keep in mind that many services that conduct the selling take a large cut, frequently half the sales price. If your clients want to sell products on their own, advise them to look on eBay for the greatest pricing. Encourage them to put goods on local internet sites, such as neighborhood Facebook groups or Craigslist, if they are unwilling to go to the bother of shipping sold items.
Donate
Remember the old proverb, "One person's trash is another's treasure." Suggest to elder clients that they first ask their children to claim their favorite childhood belongings. Becker believes it is critical to create a time limit for individuals who are interested in picking up what they desire. Another way you might be a hero is to compile a list of trustworthy sources in your community for your clients. Take note of which charity will receive donations and when, as well as which will pick them up, saving your clients time and trouble. Some charities have become more selective in what they accept. Many, for example, will not accept mattresses, box springs, pillow coverings, or linens. Christopher Flores, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Larchmont in Los Angeles, recommends a local halfway house that helps problematic young adults settle their lives as an excellent place for used goods. "That way, they provide furniture and clothing they don't need to those who may have nothing," he said. Remind sellers that they may be eligible for an IRS tax donation if they donate to a qualifying tax-exempt charity (link is external). Because of recent changes in the tax code, clients should keep thorough records of what they donate and contact their tax expert to determine the exact percentages they will be able to deduct.
Toss
Clients can save time by contacting a local garbage removal firm or 1-800-GOT-JUNK(link is external), a REALTOR Benefits® partner that operates nationally. Have price information and a list of things haulers will not accept on hand. Homeowners can also look up trash-hauling service providers by ZIP code on HomeAdvisor. It is also critical to be informed of waste legislation. Some jurisdictions allow householders to leave items by the curb with a sign that says "Please take me," while others punish them. Local Freecycle(link is external) chapters are a more structured version of this notion, part of a grassroots organization where local individuals post stuff for free pickup in their own areas to help keep useable products out of landfills.
Keep Off-Site
It may be tempting to store certain household things off-site, and according to StorageCafe(link is external), one in every three Americans does. There are several causes for this. Apart from apartments becoming smaller, many are unwilling to part with their possessions permanently. The epidemic also necessitated a reorganization, necessitating work-from-home space that did not previously exist. Some family moved in together and wanted a place to store their belongings.
Self-storage selection necessitates research. Recommend to clients that they select units that are locked, insured, and climate-controlled and that they may enter whenever they want. Prices can vary greatly. Also, tell clients that self-storage isn't a good long-term solution because months might turn into years and even decades. "Storage is frequently a matter of postponing the inevitable." "It's better to get rid of anything you don't need," Izsak advises. "It makes sense if you know you're storing something for a granddaughter who will use it in a year." Otherwise, get rid of it right away!"