By Sheri Greenman

Want to learn more in person? Click here to learn more about our FREE Downsizing Workshop on August 24th in Maplewood!

Hire a professional that can help with a myriad of steps to guide you through this process. 
— Sheri Greenman

The time has come.  The kids are out, the home feels big and empty, and you are finally ready to make a change!



Change, you say?? Arg!!  But, where to begin?  I have 20 years of "stuff" here!!

Do not Despair!

The trick to successfully downsizing is to take small bites out of a big apple, one bite at a time, and chewing slowly.

Here are some steps to get you started:

1. Start to think about your future plans. Do you want to move to a condo?  Go out of state? Go to a 55+ community? Need assisted living? Live with your children?  The possibilities are endless.  No need to make a decision yet, but it is comforting to know there are many options.

2. Talk things over with your family and friends.  Seek advise, but know this is YOUR decision!

3. Now is the time to assess your current home.  Need updating? Need repairs?  Did you get rid of that underground oil tank? Once you can breathe again, do the most important thing you can do.

HIRE A REALTOR!! 

(Like PPG!)  This professional can help with a myriad of steps to guide you through this process.  The Realtor can get you the professionals you need to help get the house in order.

She/he can also explain to you the current market conditions.  Believe me, things have changed a lot since you bought your house 20-30 years ago!  We now live in an internet world, where buyers see and memorize your home before they even go for a showing!!  And this brings me to the biggest roadblock that downsizers go through:

HOW DO I BEGIN TO GO THROUGH YEARS AND YEARS OF THINGS?? MEMORABILIA?

Do not panic!!  

Start slow.  Take one room at a time and assess whether you want to give away , sell , or donate.  Have the kids pick up their trophies, kindergarten portraits, dance recital costumes, etc.



Our team can get you organizers and people that can help you declutter.  And if you find that there are things you absolutely cannot give up, designate them to an unused room to save for a move.

Downsizing doesn't happen overnight!!!

It is an emotionally filled time.   I personally have downsized twice, so I understand the emotional turmoil of this process. But we are here for you every step of the way,.  And from experience, I can tell you that once you are on the other side, there is such a glorious feeling in starting a new chapter in your life.

So let us help you on this journey.  And you know that room of memories you couldn’t part with?  Well bring them with you, along with the new memories you will be making!!

Want to learn more in person? Click here to learn more about our FREE Downsizing Workshop on August 24th in Maplewood!

Sheri Greenman

Realtor/Sales Associate

M: 973-714-5742

O: 973-376-0033

email: sherigreenman@kw.com

To know more about Sheri, click here.

Follow her o her Instagram account @greenmansheri


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