Planning to Move Someday? Let's Start With the Stuff

For many longtime homeowners, the idea of moving isn’t necessarily the overwhelming part. It’s the stuff. After 20 or 30 years in a home, we accumulate a lot: furniture, holiday decorations, boxes of photographs, children’s artwork, old paperwork, dishes we haven’t used in years and closets filled with things we forgot we owned.

When homeowners begin thinking about their next chapter, one of the first questions I hear is, “Where do I even begin?” My advice? Begin long before you need to move.

Do I Have to Tackle Everything at Once?

Absolutely not. Choose one closet, one cabinet or even one drawer. Set aside 20 or 30 minutes and sort things into simple categories: keep, donate, give to family, sell or discard. Then do another small area next week. Over time, those efforts add up. More importantly, you’re making decisions when you have the time and energy rather than under the pressure of an upcoming move.

Does My Family Really Want All of This?

Many of us hold onto things because we assume our children will want them someday. Ask them! Your daughter may love the serving platter that belonged to her grandmother but have no interest in your dining room furniture.  Having these conversations now gives you an opportunity to pass along meaningful items and share the stories behind them. It may also give you permission to let go of the rest.

What Would I Actually Take to My Next Home?

You don’t need to know exactly where you’re moving to think about what you would realistically take with you. Would you need three sets of dishes? Two guest bedroom sets? A garage filled with yard equipment? Twenty years of holiday decorations?

Instead of asking, “What should I get rid of?” ask, “What do I want to bring into my next chapter?” That simple shift can make the process feel much more positive.

What About the House Itself?

Take inventory. Are there repairs you’ve been postponing? Rooms that need paint? Old carpeting? I often advise homeowners not to spend money until we’ve talked about which improvements will actually matter to buyers. But addressing deferred maintenance gradually can make a future move much easier.

Who Can Help Me?

You don’t have to do this alone. Organizers, estate sale companies, junk removal services, movers, financial advisors and real estate professionals can all be valuable resources.  

And remember: preparing to move doesn’t mean you have to move. You may stay for another five or ten years. Planning simply gives you choices.

The best moves are rarely made in a hurry. So start with a drawer. Then maybe a closet.

Your future self will thank you.