Moving is often a stressful endeavor, but it can also be worth it. Like, for instance, when you realize you’re managing more space than you really need. Downsizing your house is a great way to save money, freeing up funds to travel, pay off debt, or invest. Here are 5 tips for downsizing your house in Sacramento.
Use a Tape Measure
The first tip to downsizing your house is to make sure the furniture you want to keep will fit in your new digs. That spacious couch you love in your 4-bedroom house may not work in a 2-bedroom townhouse. Will the furniture fit through the door, down the hallways, and in the new floor plan? Taking measurements now can save you a lot of stress later. It would be terrible to take the time and effort to move a large sectional couch into your new house, only to find out that it is ridiculously over-sized for the new space.
Get Rid of Duplicates
Another tip for downsizing your house in Sacramento is to organize all of your belongings into categories. Gathering similar or related objects will help you determine if you have an excess of things like kitchen utensils or extension cords. Don’t be too hasty; if you are known for your annual light display, maybe you do need 12 extension cords. Make sure you keep objects you will use in the near future. You may also have to try to get rid of less sentimental objects (we’re looking at you, old wedding gifts that have never been used) to create a more manageable inventory.
Sell Your Stuff
Moving costs money. Selling your unnecessary items is a great way to drum up extra funds for the move. You can use your small windfall for the moving truck, or maybe some new landscaping, fresh paint, or other decorative elements in the new place. You will want to start selling things early, finding buyers for specialty items may take some time, especially if you are listing your items one by one. A yard sale is a great way to sell your stuff a little faster. You can also advertise your yard sale on online bulletin boards. This will open up your potential customers well beyond your neighbors.
Give Your Stuff Away
The fastest way to get rid of extra stuff is to give it away! You have multiple options on how to give your stuff away. Put usable items at the curb with a sign that reads “free stuff,” or post a curb alert to an online bulletin board. You could also donate the items to your local thrift stores and help out a great cause. Giving the items away means they disappear instantly and you don’t have to store them or try to barter with anyone about pricing. Talk about an easy win-win.
Fill Your New Space
If you can, it would be advisable to have some overlapping time between your current house and your new house. You can make some trips over to the new house with items you are for sure keeping. Make sure they all fit in their intended homes, fill out the closets and garage. Take measurements of your new space and current furniture to make sure it fits before getting rid of it or purchasing new furniture that doesn’t fit. This will be the best way to make sure extra stuff doesn’t get to the new house.