Downsizing Part 4: Just bought a home? Start decluttering.

Recently we were on Channel NewsAsia's Real Deal segment to talk about making a smooth transition from a larger home to a smaller one. Downsizing one's homes comes in a package deal that includes downsizing one's possessions, and that is always one tough cookie. How does one go through (often decades) of possessions without incurring a visit to the shrink, or worse, experiencing emotional trauma?

In this series of posts, we will touch on questions related to the topic of downsizing homes. While it may not inspire an immediate move to minimalism, hopefully it will encourage us to think about what it is that we truly need to live on.

If you're moving into a smaller home, when should you start going through your possessions?
Usually, most people start to think about the move when the renovations are nearing completion. That's when they begin to request quotes from movers. And the reality of packing only sinks in when the movers deliver the packing boxes - that's when most people start frantically packing or (attempting) to throw things away.

That, unfortunately, is way too late.

Our advice? The moment you put down money for an option to purchase, start going through your possessions. And if you're thinking of an extensive renovation, plan to finish decluttering your current home around the time you take possession of new home.

Why?

1. Decluttering is a lot of (hard) work

Some may think, "Oh, I'm quite decisive", but that is a fallacy.  We always have more clutter than we think we have, and we need time to handle every single item before deciding to keep or to toss. So best to start early.  

We've been through nightmarish last-minute moving situations where the homeowners call us a week or two before the move, and our crew has to work through day and night to get everything completed. And every evening, the homeowners come back home to a fresh pile of possessions (sorted by us, of course), which they have to then go through and decide which to keep. Definitely a nightmare situation if you ask us.

2. There's a big lull period 

The lull period is between when the purchase is signed and when you get the keys to your new home. Rather than sit around and dream up renovation ideas (or worse, twiddle thumbs), this is the perfect period to start decluttering and downsizing what you have. 

At this point, there aren't countless decisions to be made (the color of floor tiles, what type of lighting, which brand of cutlery), nor a dozen people to call (the painters, the carpenter, the flooring people). So why not have some "me" time with your things? We'll make better decisions when we're focused and not tired out from a full day of making decisions and running around.

3. It helps with interior planning

Unless you've gone through your possessions and know how much you'll be moving to the new place, thinking about interior design is like buying a house without a budget. How would you know if the storage spaces you're planning are sufficient? If you think last minute packing for a move is bad, having no space to unpack after you've moved in is so much worse - because you have to live with it! 

Based on our client experiences, we always have far more things in storage than what we think we do, so get cracking early is a good strategy. 

4. Increase your current home's selling price

There isn't any statistics out there, but anecdotal evidence from real estate brokers suggests that decluttering can improve a home's selling price by at least $20,000. That's some cool cash for clearing a couple of boxes (well, more than a couple) - well worth the effort.

So it you're moving houses, whether to a larger, smaller or same sized one, do consider the suggestions above. It'll help make the transition smoother - and it won't tire you out.

Happy moving!