Thanks for the great response and ideas from the first post on Downsizing...before I add some more thoughts, let's talk about some of the issues generated after Post One:
There seems to be a universal response to the negative naming of the difficult process: Downsizing. However, I remembered with some friendly prodding that Barry Lebow, Founder of The Accredited Senior Agent Designation refers to it as "Rightsizing", a term defined as "to undergo a reduction to an optimal size". I like referring to it as it turns a negative into a positive, so that works for me....Barry's web site at http://www.thesenioragent.com/ has some great resources for seniors who are rightsizing but remember that people rightsize for all sorts of reasons.
Here are some of my further thoughts for today's post: I am a great fan of writing up the plusses and minuses of any major decision. Sit down with your partner and family and decide what rightsizing will mean to you and your lifestyle. With older readers, those with health issues or caregivers, much of the discussion should be based on safety issues. The ruling decision should be based on "Is this the safest place for me to live?".
When it comes to what should stay and what should go, call a professional...and listen to them. The Real Estate business is full of third parties we use called "Stagers" . They pride themselves on showing our sellers how to make their homes look spacious, when they may not be and have a very good unbiased eye. Owners, Family and friends may have vested interest in pieces or history around them and may be tied to "Stuff". My colleague, D'arcy Burkholder of Bosley Real Estate has a great perspective and points out "these are just possessions...ask yourself......Do you own them or do they own you?".
I also hear people say that they are "saving these possions for their children". As I child I heard that excuse used many times...strange that I was never asked whether I wanted those possessions or not. As my mom aged and passed those possessions on to me and my brother they occupied a large armour in my living room and his basement....they seldom got used, and when asked where they were, it became easier to say that they were in the dishwasher....course that never worked with chairs, a sofa or the dining table. The dishes were not dishwasher proof so I got a further talking to...with a gracious helping of guilt.
Ask your children what they want and give it to them now...without an editorial or history...especially if they tell you they cannot use it. Remember that you went through the process at their age, but also remember that this generation is known for not being as loyal as we were and seldom care how long you have had it around. With the recent generation we make a mistake branding ourselves with our History rather than our Services or recent successes. How long something has been around is not as important to them as its utility today.
Today's tips:
At all times keep in mind where you are moving to and what the pluses of that new space are going to be. Get excited and get packing! Speaking of packing...at all times hide all packing boxes. There is little as depressing as half-empty or half-filled moving boxes. Always make your home a Moving Box FREE Zone!
Feel free to add your comments and suggestions below or read the earlier post at:
Up-sizing is real easy to do....we start with very little and at each and every stage we add more...and more. Fast forward a few years and young or old....you look around and find yourself surrounded by THINGS (of course they are Family Heirlooms too)....but do we really need them?
Could we live in less space? Could we live in multiple locations at different times of the year by selling the larger home. Of course...but the enormity of the job ahead hits with major depression and the reality is that Downsizing Sucks!
I thought I would give you some ideas from my home-selling experience that might help you deal with some of the challenges of this new adventure: Downsizing with grace and style.
When I start showing smaller properties to those downsizing, I watch their faces trying to imagine their new lifestyle in terms of their existing furniture, art, entertainment options, cooking, etc....I can see that they are taking all their possessions and mentally cramming them in to tighter spaces. Don't even try! It will never ever work.
Keep what you must but start looking at apartment-sized furniture. Most clients go wrong by not differentiating full size and apartment size furniture when they decorate. A couple of times I've suggested to small space Sellers that we replace existing furniture with more advantageous sized staging and to their credit, they did at great benefit to them.
The issue is the same: When downsizing, try to visualize the smaller space with smaller scale minimalistic accouterments. Start looking at Magazines, TV Shows and web sites that focus on "Living in Smaller Spaces" at HGTV.
It is amazing what you can do....visit the IKEA store or web site and look at what their designers do in managing space. I've been told by my friend and colleague Darcy Burkholder that IKEA now features their staged designer rooms with the square footage noted... to help you grasp the reality of smaller spaces and what can be put in them. A great idea!
Start fresh, reinvent yourself, create a new look, change styles...make it a fun project and approach the next step of your life as a challenge. Don't focus on what you are leaving but on where you are going and the new lifestyle you can create there. You may be very surprised!
More to come but feel free to leave your thoughts and comments!
Related Posts:
At Last...my brain was overflowing and I was living on a strong coffee high...there was still a good half day and the wrap up to come...the third day was only from 9 to 12 and there was more than enough content...
The day started off with Deanna Brown of Scripps Media of HGTV:
She discussed "Push Pull and Throw"... Which is working for you??
Traditional media is important as a local source but also must get involved with the Consumer. She had these tips:
The Inman Innovator Awards were given out. These Innovators were honoured:
More Social Media Tools:
Here are some great tips that were spoken of that morning:
At the start of the Conference, two Technology teams were given 72 hours of less to come up with new innovations:
Morgan Carey Real Estate Webmasters...
Justin from Diverse Solutions: "Agent Scouting Report" An Experiment in Transparency. Very Cool!!! Surfs the Board Data to see how many houses each agent sold, how long, within price range, MLS must approve the Sold Data jlejoy@diversesolutions.com. I suggest you read their report which can be found at http://www.diversesolutions.com/blog/2009/08/12/agent-scouting-report-an-experiment-in-transparancy/ When the audience was asked how many REALTORS would be happy to have a system like that on their MLS, a great number were in favour and Houston Area Realtors HAR.com is already working on a similar project...Are we ready for this kind of transparency?
What are the take-aways from the Conference?
Great Conference with Great Ideas...One of the best Inmans ever...1700 attendees...It is no longer enough to be a good agent, you must be a great agent...become the better trusted advisors..
Suggestions: Throw out the rules and excuses when you come to a Conference. Be open, listen and learn...
Reposted From: What I Learned at Inman Real Estate Connect: August 2009 Day Three
Jeff Turner of RealEstateShows (I am a big fan of both the product and the person) started off the second day with this simple truth:
Provide a great customer experience.
Jeff then spoke of Tech Tools to Leverage Social Media.
Use the tools that help you achieve your Social Media goals:
Some great questions were asked through the balance of the day:
Discussion about the use of the Amazon Kindle: Harper Studio led the discussion but it was not geared to potential uses in the future of Real Estate however it is interesting to note that usage is increasing exponentially. As a Kindle owner and user, I await applications that will allow listings to be viewed on the Kindle. Newspapers, Blogs and magazine's are now downloading content to the Kindle overnight.
In another Discussion about Boards and market statistics....it was stated that Boards need to explain the data to the members to explain it to their clients...the Skinny. Short videos about the market down loadable to agents web sites and Blogs for content!
Houston Area Realtors HAR.com is now allowing closed Buyers and sellers to rate their REALTORS and the services they provide. They are also working on a REALTOR production analyzer that will be available to the Public and help the consumer shop for an agent by past success in different areas and price range. When I asked Bob Hale, CEO of HAR.comwhy they were moving to that kind of transparency, he rightfully stated that if the Board/Association did not provide this service, it was their belief that a 3rd party would soon be providing it and the quality of data from the trade association would be better.
In discussing tools for surveys Zoomerang.com, Redfincalculates bonus by surveying their Buyers and Sellers (Redfin's Realtors are paid salary) on survey, the ultimate question, since reviews launched conversion rate has increased 100 fold. Before then, they had a lot of people using their web site to search but not converting to online Consultants/Realtors. At the end of the day however, it was suggested that the most important question to ask is:
"How likely are you to recommend this Realtor's real estate services to a friend or family?"
A speaker from MRIS' Homesdatabase.com had a great top 10 for Consumer Focused web sites:
It was a great second day...and sadly the afternoon was divided into 4 different tracks...try as I might I could not be in all 4 at the same time but...still a great day.
Reposted From: http://torontoism.com/2009/08/15/what-i-learned-at-inman-real-estate-connect-august-2009-day-two/
It's true, I am an Inman Real Estate Connect Junkie! Last week I sucked up as much information as I could in San Francisco and was upset when they offered four tracks on the second day afternoon because I could not sit in on four presentations at the same time...sick?? Sorry if the information below rambles but...trying to get bits and pieces from the best minds in the field...
So. Day One started off with Bloggers Connect:
Jim Cronin of the Real Estate Tomato started my day off with some simple tips and tricks to improve your blogs:
Search "Easter Egg" on RETomato.com or click here. Great suggestions about links images and abbreviations. Add it in the title link. Edit Alternate text... <Abbr> add related posts to the bottom of your article...calls to action...ask the expert questions and search for homes... Read it to get the full scoop!
Widgets:
The WordPress Plugin:
He had great explanations of My category Order, wordpress.org, Cforms II, Facebook Connect, Akismet, ListingPress (embeds MLS on my web site).
Facebook:
Be engaging, be conversational and add media...post on posterous.com...organizing Facebook friends for coffees! Set meetups offline, Ricardo Bueno and Craig Donato were great examples...promote other people's content..
Promoting your listings on Facebook:
Some Thoughts from Sonia Simone (brilliant): copyblogger.com
The Nicholays: Twitter: Nicole and Reggie have wonderful insights!
MORE Twitter Apps: From the Nicholays
Cutting Edge Tactics for the Wired Agent: Ian Watt, Vancouver BC,
Rob Hahn (he is very smart) and Kris Berg (Blogger par excellence)...spoke of the value of independence...
Brad Inman's Opening Session: more positive...with Morgan Brown
Tools From Morgan Brown:
Read Byte.snack.meal by Nick Bilton www.Bytesnackmeal.com coming out in 2010. Check it out online!
That was the end of Day one and because there was so much information....we will move on to Day Two next...
Reposted From:
http://torontoism.com/2009/08/12/what-i-learned-at-inman-real-estate-connect-august-2009-day-one/
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Serving Downtown Toronto for Your Real Estate Needs. Active in Organized Real Estate, Fundraising and a Technology Junkie!! I love using All the Toys and new media to market my listings to they sell!
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