When it comes time for your aging loved one to downsize – whether to move in with you or enter assisted living – the transition can be difficult on many levels.  One of the more challenging aspects of downsizing is deciding what will travel to the new residence and what needs to be sold or donated.   It can seem overwhelming to approach the process after decades of accumulating furniture, mementos, and household items. Planning an estate sale is a great way to declutter, downsize and make some extra money.

However, there is no denying that running a garage or estate sale can be stressful for everyone involved.  For your elderly loved one, the prospect of putting a monetary value on their possessions can be distressing.  These items have memories attached to them, and your senior may already feel a sense of loss over their independence or living situation.

assisted living venice

Estate Sale Planning Step by Step

  1. Sort the Belongings: The process of sorting through decades of possessions can be very emotional, but it is necessary. You can use this as an opportunity to bring some family members together, as stories and anecdotes often begin to flow when working room to room. Remember, your senior loved one may look for emotional support through this process and may also feel quite tired physically. The family can decide which pieces will be moving to their new home and then discuss how to dispose of the remaining items: donation, disposal, or sale. You may also have to decide amongst yourselves regarding family keepsakes and heirlooms.
  2. Attractively Display Sale Items: Estate sales take place in the residence, so minimize the clutter and altogether remove those things not for sale, if possible. If there is no place to put the items not for sale, clearly price items for sale. Display items in their original room whenever possible to show things in their most utile setting.
  3. Be Realistic with Pricing: Price items competitively and realistically to facilitate a successful estate sale. If your loved one has rare items, antiques, collectibles, or furniture – research online to understand the value of these pieces in the general marketplace. You should also identify the lowest price you will accept for any particular item so as not to get caught up in the sale’s momentum and sell yourself short.  On the flip side, your loved ones may wish to attach unrealistic prices to their favorite possessions because of sentimental value. Assist where you can to keep price tags in line with reality.
  4. Have Change Ready: Depending on the cost of your sale items, you should bring a pile of singles, tens, and twenties to the sale. Be sure that you have the denominations ready to keep quick sales moving along.  If a trusted family member can accept Venmo, Paypal, CashApp, or Zelle for online transactions, ask them to be there for the sale.
  5. Tell Everyone: Tell friends and neighbors that you’ve scheduled an estate sale, and post to the online yard and estate sale directories. If your loved one does not have their own social media accounts, have a family member post the sale in the local marketplace and sale sites. When the day of the event arrives, set up signs along neighborhood streets so people can find the residence. If your sale does not have the response you need, try again the following week.

Moving to an assisted living or memory care facility after living alone can be an emotional and stressful process. Helping them to downsize and sort through personal belongings can help to make the transition easier.

If you are looking for an assisted living or memory care center in The Villages, we invite you to set up a tour at A Banyan Residence.