DownSize Cleveland

Real estate licensing differs in the 50 states in the United States. In Ohio, a licensed Realtor has completed 120 hours of education and passed an exam on State and Federal laws. Our profession requires honesty held in place by written rules and continuing education on servicing the public with the highest standards of ethics. However, as in any profession there are good, better, and best. What should you be looking for? You should look for a Realtor in the same way you would look for someone with whom to invest your money: Are they honest? On time and reliable? Listen closely to your needs and directives? Care for your money with the same attention they would for their own? After all, you ARE trusting a professional to guide you in the investment of a lot of money. Granted, most of the time much of the money is given to you by a bank, but the bank is going to want that money paid back and you are going to want to have made a profit in the transaction. You should feel like the Realtor is your advocate and trusted guide in the process.

What are some warning signs: Do you feel rushed or pressured? Do you feel like the Realtor isn’t available or isn’t available to YOU? Are you seeing homes which fit the parameters you have set or do you feel like you are being steered in a direction the Realtor feels is best for you? Are your questions answered clearly and in a timely manner? Do you feel a part of the process or do you feel pulled along by the decisions of others? If you feel any of these — you need to have an honest conversation with your Realtor and get back on track or find a Realtor that better fits your needs.

I make a living walking through the homes of strangers. I could be an expert witness if Americans could be put on trial for having too much stuff. George Foreman is a very rich man because every household owns at least two of his grills.

I was recently meeting with a homeowner who was ready to downsize. They were selling their 4000 square foot home (with a full basement, full of ‘stuff’) and had begun the “keep, sell, donate, trash…” process of parting with their belongings. I noticed in the “keep” pile several boxes marked “Christmas”. I asked where they were moving. They said to a 1700 square foot condo without a basement. I asked about the large amount of ‘Christmas’ going with them and (she) admitted that she couldn’t bear to part with the décor that had framed this wonderful holiday in their home for over 30 years. And, she said, “We’re not sure what we’ll need in the condo and it would be a shame to have to buy it all again.” True. But I can very competently assure them that they won’t need, nor have room for 16 wreaths.

Downsizing means parting with a lot. In a previous blog (Tip #1: Avoid Tackling Everything at Once) I wrote about thoughtfully sorting through your home and keeping only the items that are essential, you love, or bring joy. In this blog we emphasize the first of that troika of advice: take only things that are essential. And, by extension of that definition: you only need one of most things. While each of 16 Christmas wreaths has a special memory: 15 of them are likely to take up space in a box, never seen at your new home. Pick one.

The kitchen is the sacred Temple of Too Much Stuff. How much dishware does two people (or one) need? How many serving spoons? How many mixers, griddles, pans, or toasters? Probably half of what you own would suffice. And, this is an area that local donation sites would LOVE your stuff. In Cleveland we have ministries and non-profit charities which help immigrant families or working poor get settled into homes. For a tax donation credit you can bless these families with your culinary dust-collectors (and they will get used. Every day.)

Linen closets: when you were raising kids it was necessary to have a linen closet full of sheets and towels. Do you even own the beds anymore that fit the sheets? Will those beds be going with you? Do all of those towels need to go with you? No. Pick the ones you use, love, or bring you joy and donate the rest.

Toys, Games, and Electronics: For decades you have been the Keep of all Things Kids. Now is the time to pass the “stuff” mantle on to the next generation. Most of these things you don’t use, you don’t love them, and they don’t bring you joy. You’re keeping them for the people you love and bring you joy, your adult children. Like the dinner bell call of our grandparents: “COME AND GET IT!!” (Or it will be gone…)