“Downsizing your home in Dallas, Tx.” can be beneficial no matter what stage of life you are in. Having all that extra stuff can feel cumbersome and overwhelming. In our latest post from We Buy Houses Cash Dallas, we discuss easy ways to downsize your house without all the stress. Some people downsize due to selling they’re home, some for a job relocation. What ever the reason, planning it out is always the best thing to do, and give yourself time. One or two months is a good time frame for most.
With each year that passes, it seems that most of us gain more and more stuff. Many of us have closets filled with items we aren’t using, and things stored away in the attic that never see the light of day. Many people buy a home when they are first starting their family, ensuring they have enough space for everyone.
But as the years pass and the kids eventually move out on their own, they find they are living in a house that is too large and filled with too much stuff to manage. Below we offer some great tips for downsizing, making it easier to sell the house when you are ready.
Tip #1 – The One Year Rule
You might have heard this rule for your closets. Turn all the hangers backward, and anything still backward in a year should be given away. These are the items you don’t wear, but that are taking up valuable real estate in your closet. While you might have one or two sentimental items, try to keep these to a minimum. Downsizing your home in Dallas, Tx. can be a frieghtening thing. But wait, there’s more.
You can also apply this rule to other clutter-prone areas of your house. Such as the hall closets, linen closets, bathroom cabinets, all the way out to the out door shed in the back yard, even the extra bedroom which probably has more clutter in it. Think kitchen gadgets, craft supplies, old DVD’s, and so on. If you haven’t used it in the past year, the odds are pretty low that it will get any use in the future.
Tip #2 – Repurpose And Give
You likely have many things you are keeping due to sentimental value. While it is more than ok to hang on to some of this stuff, having too much can weigh you down. When we repurpose items, we usually end up keeping those items which defeats the repurpose idea. Don’t forget, the whole idea here is downsizing your home in Dallas, Tx., not to keep those items.
But think about it, maybe your kids or grandkids would love to have your old Chrismas ornaments that are lying around in the closet. Things such as old toys, which your kids may consider keeping, clothes, and artworks can find new homes with people you love. This way you can find joy in knowing they are being used and loved, without taking up storage space in your house.
At the ssame time, remember that donation box you saw next to the church? Give or donate as much of your junk as possible. It does feel good to donate, knowing that other have a need for your old items or junk. If you can sell those items during your garage sale, then you can see who those item go to.
Tip #3 – Look Through All The Boxes
Sure, this might seem like a lot of work when you are downsizing your home in Dallas, Tx. But for many people, they will find that all kinds of random possessions have accumulated. They will only end up keeping one or two things, giving away or throwing away the rest. You might be surprised at what has piled up over the years!
You see, this is what happens when yougo looking through old boxes that you have not seen for years. Now you are going to start keeping some more junk, the same junk that you are suposed to be getting rid of.
Tip #4 – Assess Your Furniture
Here is where it starts to get a little harder to make decisions. Do you need the massive sectional sofa anymore? Is the giant coffee table still a necessity? Think about your future new space, and what kind of items will fit nicely. Keep in mind that you are donwsizing your home in Dallas, Tx., not adding to it all.
You can ditch the entertainment center, and instead, hang the TV up on a wall. You can opt for a smaller couch, dining table, etc. You can sell these items, and use the cash toward new furniture for your new space.
Tip #5 – Digitize Where It Makes Sense
Piles of papers all over the house. Does this sound familiar? It seems we all have a stack of papers (or 5) that we are going to get around to dealing with. Make that time now and toss or shred anything that is no longer needed. You can scan in old bills and receipts if needed, and opt to go paperless for future statements. Make a rule to deal with mail as it comes in instead of letting it pile up everywhere.
Too this point, it only makes good sense to go paperless when you are downzising your home in Dallas, Tx. Don’t start the same ole system again, keeping everything just because that’s how you have always done it. Change is good and to some changes at this day and age is good for you.
Tip #6 – Get Rid Of The Dupes
Do you need 4 sets of wine glasses or will one set do? This can be such a simple question, and remembering all those good times you had using those wine glasses will only help to keep them. You must remember that you are downsizing your home in Dallas, not looking to grow.
Do you need two desks in the office or can you share one? There are many instances where people buy 2 of something, never using both at the same time. Take an inventory and keep your favorite items, giving away or selling the other items.
Tip #7 – Organize Everything
Before moving, take the time to organize all of your belongings. Group books, glassware, clothing, and other items. This will make packing and moving simple when you decide to go. Label all boxes and only pack similar items together. Just know that waiting until the week of yuor move is not how you want to go. Get organized, it’s a bit easier and more managable to start early in the day than it is to start in the afternoon.
Tip #8 – Hire A Pro
Yes, there is such a thing. You can hire a professional organizer to help you clear out the clutter. They can offer objective opinions if you are debating holding on to an unused item. They will help you get your belongings in order, making an eventual move a breeze.
Want to learn more about downsizing your home in the Dallas area? We Buy Houses Cash Dallas, is here to help you! Contact us today to learn more! (214) 723-1304.
