Thinking of Selling and Downsizing in 2025? Here’s How to Accomplish It All Before Summer

If it’s been years since you moved, deciding to sell your home and move to one that better fits your lifestyle can be a lot of work. But with the right downsizing and staging tips, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required. By starting now, you can start enjoying your new home and lifestyle by this summer. Luckily, downsizing is an import part of staging your home, so starting there can better prepare you for that final, important step.
How to Downsize
After decades of pursuing hobbies, going on trips, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and holidays, you can collect a lot of stuff. That’s probably why one of the bigger questions of moving is what do I do with everything? Here are some important downsizing tips to consider:
Do one room at a time: The garage or a closet is often a good place to start. Don’t move on to another room until you’ve finished the first.
Go slow: Sorting through a lifetime of important memories isn’t something you can get done in a weekend or even a week. Pick one box or collection of items and go through it piece by piece without rushing. After you finish with that box, start on another.
Have fun: Put on some of your favorite music. Invite a friend to help. Plan on a treat at the end of the day – maybe ice cream, a favorite cocktail or special dinner.
Remember: Looking at keepsakes and mementos can bring up memories of significant life events. Take the time to reminisce over special moments and tell stories.
Be homey: Keep only the possessions (collectibles, heirlooms, mementos, art) that make your house distinctively your home.
Clean the kitchen: At a community like Galleria Woods, you’ll be cooking less and taking advantage of our dining venues more. Consider keeping only the pots, pans and utensils you’ll need and giving the rest away.
Let go of your library: Make sure to keep your favorite books and then consider donating or selling the rest.
Freshen your linens: Go through your sheets, blankets and bath towels, and throw away any threadbare, stained or unmatched items. In fact, once you’ve moved, you might want all new items to match your new space.
Clothes and coats: If you haven’t worn it in a year, you probably don’t need it anymore.
Get organized: Create a list for every room in your house and sort each possession into one of four categories: keep, sell, give away and decide later.
(Everything on the decide later list must eventually move to one of the other columns.)
Use these key questions to figure out which list to put each item on:
- Do I use it regularly? Have I used it in the past year?
- Does it truly enhance my quality of life?
- Will it fit in my new living space and future lifestyle?
- Does it have a significant dollar value?
- Is it necessary?
- Does it have sentimental value?
- Would a family member or friend appreciate the item or use it?
How to Stage Your Home
Home staging is all about making sure you receive the best possible offer in the least amount of time. Here are some tips to help you achieve both.
Home tour path: Walk the path prospective buyers will take, looking for scuffs, fingerprints, knickknacks, and furniture that blocks openings or natural walkways between rooms. Ensuring an open flow will make your home more inviting.
Curb appeal: Make sure the buyer is excited about seeing your home. If your front door isn’t in tip top shape, paint it to give it a fresh look. Ensure you have proper lighting outside and get rid of all outside clutter.
Entryway: The entryway is the first room potential buyers see when they come into your home and the last one they see when they leave.
Living room staging: This is often the first room the buyers go through when touring your home. It’s also the place they want to envision themselves relaxing and entertaining. Declutter, pare down furniture and use lighting to make the room feel comfortable.
Kitchen staging: The kitchen is one of the most looked at areas. Clear the kitchen countertop and island clutter and reduce the number of appliances you have out.
Main bedroom staging: Depersonalize the primary bedroom so that anyone can picture themselves comfortably sleeping there.
Bathroom staging: Ensure all the bathrooms are spotless. If your toilets, sinks or tubs have rust or other unsightly issues use CLR to clean them. Update old lighting fixtures and the hardware on your bathroom cabinets. Consider painting the bathroom cabinetry too and investing in new shower curtains, rugs and bathmats. To create a spa-like look in the bathrooms include fluffy towels, candles and fancy soaps.
Garage staging: You may be tempted to store excess items in your garage. However, your garage leaves an impression on buyers so you may want to consider storing your items in a pod or other storage unit. Then be sure to clean and organize the garage so the buyer can see the space in its best light.
Closets and storage areas staging: The buyer will look at everything, including closets, cabinets, drawers and other storage areas. Well-organized storage areas leave a favorable impression on buyers.
Pets: For the comfort and peace of mind of real estate agents and buyers, considering taking your pet for a walk or to a kennel and removing all pet scents when your home is being shown.
Depersonalize: It’s a delicate balance between the cold feeling of a stark, empty house and too many collectibles, wall hangings, wallpaper and other personal items.
Provide comfort: Adjust the temperature to keep your home comfortable – not too cold or too hot.
Brighten: Allow natural light to flow through your living spaces. Make sure the blinds and curtains are open and the lights and lamps are on. Where possible, add more lighting to enhance the living and bedroom areas. Make sure there’s plenty of light in the kitchen.
Carpets: Have your carpets professionally cleaned to remove tough stains and odors. If your carpet is worn in spots, consider recarpeting certain areas or all the carpeting.
Scents: Because smell is subjective, it’s best to avoid powerful scents that could repel a potential home buyer. Go for subtle scents like essential oils, fresh flowers or anything mild that also makes the property feel welcoming.
Downsize to a Bigger and More Enjoyable Way of Life
Galleria Woods has the right sized residence for you! Explore our floor plans – including one-bedroom options – to find your perfect next home. To learn more, use our Community Assistant chat feature or contact us here.