Downsizing the home, lessons learned to help you move on

Practicalities and emotions don't always go happily hand in hand.  You know you have to downsize and move to a smaller space and take less possessions with you, but where do you start with what to keep, what to sell and what to throw or give away?

Often it is not your possessions your are downsizing but those of a loved one - an ageing parent or dealing with a deceased estate.  

Two women in the US, Janet Hulstrand and Linda Hetzer have gone so far as to write one of the most comprehensive and practical guides,on this after helping their fathers move out of the houses they had lived in for several decades to apartments.  The blog has been so successful and the task was so overwhelming they have gone on to write a book, Moving On: A Practical Guide to Downsizing the Family Home.

Questions to ask when considering a move

• Do we need this space anymore?
• Are we really using all of these things?
• Has the joy gone from having such a large space?
• Are we ready to let go?

Lessons learned by Janet and Linda

• Throwing things away (other than obvious trash, such as spoiled food in the refrigerator and burned-out light bulbs) should not be your first step. The first step is to sort, and as you’re sorting, consult with each other about what to do with it all.
• If you will be holding an estate sale or auction at your house, ask a couple of professionals to come in and evaluate the estate before you start throwing items out or hauling them away. Part of their professional expertise is in knowing what kinds of “worthless” items can actually be worth a little, or a lot. It is surprising, to say the least, to learn what kinds of items can actually be big sellers at estate sales.
• Money, important papers, and other treasures are often found hidden within stacks of papers, inside seemingly “empty” envelopes, in the pages of books, in the pockets of clothing, and in other unlikely spots.
• Many things tossed willy-nilly into the Dumpster—from old Christmas cards and maps to sewing machine manuals and sales receipts—could be of interest to your local historical society.

If you are really not sure if you are ready to let go, a good option can be to rent a storage unit while you make decisions, remove yourself emotionally and don't have regrets.  

Six things you should know before renting a self storage unit

Renting space for your property, whether it be personal or business can be a big decision. When looking for and renting extra space to store, here a a few tips to get the best out of a storage experience.

Not all storage facilities are the same

Just like children, no two facilities are the same, even within the same company.  Check for security measures (including pin-access, individual unit alarm control, gates, CCTV and lighting), customer service, cleanliness, help to move and packing materials.  Having a checklist of what your top priorities in a storage facility can really help you to make your final decision.

Theft - what will your storage facilities do to avoid this?

Security gates, padlocks and gate access don't always stop an opportune burglar.    To avoid this always rent off facilities that have ;

• individually alarmed storage units - to deactivate the alarm, the customer must have the pin code, if un-authorised access occurs the alarm with sound with an immediate identification of which unit has been accessed
• CCTV - there will be security cameras covering the whole facility inside and out
• for your own piece of mind use a disc lock which have no ability to be cut by bolt cutters

Lastly ask a lot of questions about how the facility maintains their commitment to security.  If they can't or don't want to answer, go elsewhere.

Beware of "MOVE-IN DISCOUNTS"

Many storage companies offer sporadic and well timed move-in discounts or 'a months rent free', to get you to move in at a low rate only to raise the rent very soon afterwards (which will be in the fine print of your contract).  Before you rent, ask the manager how often your rent will be raised and how long they can guarantee your rent will not change.  If you are happy with their answers, ask for the guarantees in writing.  If they are not willing to do this, go elsewhere.

Plan Carefully

We see it time and time again in the industry, people rent far more space than they actually need.  Use the planning calculators on websites when moving, ask for advice from the store manager and if you find yourself moved in with excess space, don't be afraid to request a smaller unit at a smaller price!  

• Packing the unit properly  will also save you valuable space, again follow a checklist to save you money and space

Moving Day

If you do not have easy access to a large trailer or truck you will probably have to rent one. Some storage facilities will offer a free trailer to their customers (for a limited time period), some will offer a trailer or truck at a cost - do try and negotiate the fee, or the best storage facilities will offer a free truck and driver.  The cost of moving can often be more than the first few months rent on your unit, so it is worth checking out which facilities offer these services.

Insurance

Insurance is the responsibility of the customer.  Storage facilities are not insured for the contents of customers units, because it is a rented space, much like a house rental, you will need to insure the goods you intend to store.  Your house and contents cover will generally not cover you for goods in storage and it is often cheaper to purchase insurance direct from your storage facility.  Your store manager will have full details on this.

And then, enjoy the freedom of all your space you have created!