HomeBlogReasons to SellA Downsizing Plan for St. Louis Homeowners Share on Like what you see? Share with a friend. A Downsizing Plan for St. Louis Homeowners Chris Kirshenboim | September 22, 2022 Last updated August 10, 2026 Most people do not need a complicated downsizing plan. They need four decisions made in the right order. Start by sorting, room by room, on a schedule you can actually keep, because the sorting is what makes every step after it easier. Then size the next place honestly, in square feet and in stairs, not in what you hope you will still be doing in ten years. Third, decide which closing comes first. Carrying two mortgages for a month is a real cost, and so is moving twice. Fourth, decide how the old house sells. A listing can bring more if the house shows well and you have sixty to ninety days to give it. If it needs work, or if you would rather not stage a home holding forty years of belongings, we buy houses in any condition and close when your new place is ready. That is the whole point of a plan for downsizing: the timeline bends around you instead of the other way around. Our downsizing page has the version with the numbers in it, and how we buy houses covers what the sale itself looks like. If you are helping a parent through this, what seniors should know about downsizing covers the emotional side better than a checklist can. Chris and the team hold a 4.9 rating across 368 Google reviews and an A+ BBB accreditation, and nobody will hurry your sort pile. Sorting The first step in our downsizing plan for St. Louis homeowners is to sort your belongings, keeping in mind the limits on space in a smaller home. You can begin by sorting items such as clothing and kitchen or household supplies by the amount of time that has passed since last used, a common timeframe for this process is to eliminate items that have not been used within one year. As to decorative elements and furniture, rather than keeping items based on the market value, decide what you will be taking with you by what each piece means to you personally. Selling Moving forward to the second step of our downsizing plan for St. Louis homeowners is to sell any valuable items you are ready to discard. The internet provides avenues to sell larger pieces like furniture locally, through sites listing items for sale, local rentals, and jobs, which are heavily trafficked. For more special items, there are sites that specialize in nearly any type of collectible. Additionally, there are sites where specialized items are gathered under one domain, with several categories of listings. Be certain to provide plenty of images of each item. Donating For many, giving their items to charity is preferred as a method of clearing all of their items, donating these goods is the third step in our downsizing plan for St. Louis homeowners. Likewise, many people choose to donate those items that are still in good condition but either didn’t sell or do not carry enough value to advertise. Often, charitable organizations will come to your home and pick up the items you are donating, making the process easier for donors. Depending on the value of your donation, you may want to consider consulting your tax advisor in order to take any deductions for which you may be eligible. Recycle or Dispose For those belongings not quite up to par to sell or donate, it is time to decide if they are ready to become trash or recycling material. You may be able to recycle clothing and other textiles as well as electronics. Remember, there are rules governing how much trash can be placed out for pickup as well as how it must be bundled. Depending on how much you are clearing out, you may have hire help to assist you. You may also need to pay to have a larger trash dumpster delivered and picked up after you have filled it. Ready, Set, Go The best downsizing plan for St. Louis homeowners is to sell directly to Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis. Just pack what you want to keep and leave the rest to us. We make the process easy, walking you through every step. Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis uses simple and straightforward contracts and we close quickly, usually in 30 days or less. Working with Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis also means none of the headaches of getting ready to list your home. You won’t even have to worry about painting, repairs, cleaning constantly for showings, and constant interruptions. Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis will buy your home just as it is and will even handle clearing out your unwanted items for you! To learn more, send us a message or call Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis today! (314) 334-1481 FAQs Frequently Asked Questions How early should I start a downsizing plan? + Give yourself three to six months if you can. Sorting a full house takes longer than people expect, and rushing it is where most of the stress and the regret come from. Do I have to sell my current house before buying the smaller one? + Not necessarily, but the order matters. Buying first means carrying two payments for a stretch, and selling first can mean a short rental in between. Pick the one your budget tolerates. What if the house needs repairs I do not want to make? + Then a direct sale is usually the cleaner path. We buy houses as-is, including whatever is left behind, so you do not have to empty the basement before closing.
