Downsizing: selling the house you raised your kids in
Declutter, sell and move to a home that fits now, with a calm voice when it gets emotional.
You're not taking all of it with you
When you downsize, say from a 3,000-square-foot house to a 2,000-square-foot one, you already know something most sellers don't face: a lot of what's in the house isn't coming with you. That's where we start, and it helps twice. It makes the move easier, and it makes your home sell better.
Downsizing is also more than a real estate transaction. If you raised your kids in this house, selling it is emotional, and it should be. My job is to handle the parts that shouldn't be emotional, so you can make good decisions and get to the closing table.
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Declutter first, for the move and the buyers
I tell every seller to declutter, and for downsizers it matters most. First, personal photos come off the walls, along with anything with personal information on it. Then we sort. What you know you're taking to the next home, great, that stays. Everything you're not taking needs to be sold, given away or otherwise gotten rid of, ideally before we list.
Here's why it matters so much. When buyers walk into your home, they need to picture their own things in it. Walls full of family photos and rooms full of furniture make that hard. Empty walls and open rooms let a buyer walk in and think, "Oh, this is going to look great." That reaction is what sells a home, and it's the heart of how I present every listing. You can read more in how I prepare and present a home.
Your voice of reason when it gets emotional
Selling a house full of memories has hard moments. An offer comes in under asking and it feels personal. A buyer's repair list comes back long and it feels like an insult to a house you took care of for years. A seller with an emotional tie to the home is going to be offended by some of it. That's normal.
That's when I'm most useful. I stay calm and walk you through it logically: what the offer means, what the repair requests are really asking, what your options are and what I'd do. I'll tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear, and I'll keep the deal moving to the closing table.
Pricing is part of this too. We start with three pricing strategies built on real evidence, so you choose your number with your eyes open. See how I price a home and what your home is worth.
Finding the home that fits now
Downsizing has two halves. Once we're selling, my job is also to find you the home that better suits your needs now, whether that's less house to take care of or less yard. The Veridian in Sango is one option I show buyers who want a newer home with less yard work. If you need to time the sale and the purchase together, the same protections I use for trading up work in the other direction too.
Home base is Clarksville, and I work across Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky. Tell me about your home and what's next, and we'll make a plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I declutter before listing my home?
Yes. Take down personal photos and personal information, keep what's going to your next home, and sell or give away the rest. Buyers need to picture their own things in your house.
What if an offer comes in under asking?
It's normal to feel offended, especially in a home you've loved. I'll walk you through what the offer really means and your options, calmly, and help you decide.
Can you help me find my next, smaller home too?
Yes. Selling and finding the home that better suits your needs now go together, and I can time both so you're protected.
Downsizing by neighborhood
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Ready to make your move with Keri Gilles, REALTOR®?