2 minute read
Clearing Out a Lifetime of Home Furnishings
by Expert Contributor Sarah Forti, Owner of Forti Homes with Keller Williams Realty
Selling a property can be an emotional process. Each piece of furniture, artwork, formal-wear hung for decades in the back corner of a closet, boxes of old records: All hold special memories in the hearts of those who have lived in and loved the home for decades. With the right guidance, the process can be easier, smoother, and more efficient.
An early step to take is hiring a professional organizer. Or, you can lean on a family member who loves organizing and has the time to help. The organization process is crucial to make sure valuable treasures, photos, and papers don’t get lost in the clean-out activity. Our area has several professional organizers to choose from. Ask neighbors, friends, or your trusted real estate professional for names of organizers they have worked with on a regular basis.
Divide your items into three categories: Keep, Sell, and Donate.
The items you want to keep are those you’ll be taking to your next home – things like the clothes you still wear, furniture you know you’ll need, and special family photos. The “Sell” category often trips up some people because the thought of figuring out where and how to sell their items can be overwhelming. There are dozens of local websites and social media pages dedicated to selling second-hand items locally. Another great tool is to partner with an estate sale company that can assist with valuing your items, advertising, and facilitating a sale at your home. This helps maximize the value of your items while being efficient with your time.
The last item is the “Donate” category. Thankfully we have many local organizations where you can drop off your items such as Goodwill and other local thrift stores and GreenDrop, a wonderful local organization that collects items, sells what they can, recycles the rest, and donates a portion of the proceeds to one of four charities of YOUR choice. GreenDrop has several convenient drop-off locations, and if you have a large number of items, they’ll coordinate a pick-up at your home at no cost. The fact that they recycle is key: Mattresses, stuffed animals, and old magazines are examples of items some companies will not accept. GreenDrop accepts those items, and sells them as recyclable materials.
Knowing that there’s a place and purpose for everything should hopefully help you feel prepared for when it’s time to start emptying your home.
Expert Contributor Sarah Forti, Owner of Forti Homes with Keller Williams Realty
Sarah Forti, Newtown Square’s Resident Real Estate Expert
610-986-7170
www.FortiHomes.com
744 W. Lancaster Avenue, Suite 125, Wayne
Sarah@FortiHomes.com
