Is Your Home Ready to Put on the Market?

Senior Thursday

As we age, our lives change. We've perhaps married and had children. We've raised those children, then sent them off to college and witnessed them marrying their childhood sweethearts. Suddenly, the homes we built to raise our families are empty. There are bedrooms that aren't being used, corners of the basement that are rarely seen, and large kitchen tables with empty seats.

If you are in retirement, your income has changed also. It probably isn't as high as when you were working. The cost of everything is going up, and funds are tight. So you decide to sell your home and move to more affordable housing.

But where do you start? You have a home filled with 30 years of memories. There are boxes packed away that you haven't seen in years. Some are yours, some are the kids. There are souvenirs from your trips, and prom dresses from high school.

Once you decide you are going to sell your home, the first thing you should do is de-clutter it. Get rid of all that excess.

It won't be easy. There will be some very difficult decisions about what you will bring to the new home, what you will give to the kids, and what will go to charity. There are memories attached to most, if not all, of the items. How can you throw away something from a family wedding or favorite vacation? You don't have to throw away everything. Keep those items that mean the most to you. If you want, take photos of the items you are getting rid of.

Just keep in mind that memories will always be with you, even after the item is gone. And what is important to you, isn't necessarily as important to the rest of your family.