If there’s something we see a lot of in Real Estate, it’s stuff. Yep. LOTS of stuff. It doesn’t really matter who you are or where you’ve lived, where you’re moving, or where you’re from. People accumulate stuff. We find it. We buy it. We inherit it. Other people give us THEIR stuff. And the cycle continues.

So, let’s talk about stuff for a minute. Can we? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to visit with a new client and come face to face with their stuff. This can happen in any number of ways too. Maybe I’m going to their home because they’re ready to list it for sale. Perhaps I’m meeting with them because they’re in the market for another house. They need to downsize. Or they need more space. Like I said, this can happen any number of ways. Because we don’t have oodles of time and space, let’s focus on three situations that probably apply to most people in the Los Alamos area.

“Help! My new house has NO storage!”

There is always variety within a real estate market. But when Los Alamos boasts diversity in housing options, we aren’t kidding around. There are some homes that have enormous amounts of storage (yes, they DO exist!) But if your new home isn’t one of those, you might be looking for creative ways to maximize your storage.

First of all, does this picture apply to you? Do you have boxes and boxes of possessions that you’ve been carting all over the country as you move from one phase of your life to the next?

Step One: Go through your stuff. If you haven’t used it in five years, you probably never will.

There are a library’s worth of books written on the relationship between humans and their possessions. Hoarding is a word we don’t like to hear applied to us. But please go easy on yourself. Hoarding doesn’t always end in one of those homes featured on reality television. People hoard for a variety of reasons, but there is always an emotional element to it. The truth is that you’re likely to be much happier without a life filled with excess baggage. And yes, you can make an emotional parallel there if you choose.

Step Two: Identify storage areas in your home.

This isn’t just about saying, “oh yeah, there’s a closet here.” It’s about taking a critical look at the space you have and matching it with practical uses. This is also where you make an investment in organizers. The thought might seem irritating or overwhelming, but when you have a large rectangular empty space because of duct work or the chimney, an organizer solution can make that into a viable place to store books, toys, clothing, or just about anything you like. And if you’re looking for real space saving tips, I highly recommend Kendra Henning of Stuff Happens. Kendra has an absolute knack for knowing which organizer will fit what where!

Step Three: Be creative!

No room for cleaning supplies because the kitchen is full and there isn’t a proper laundry room? Do you actually USE all of your coat closet space in the front hallway? Why not store paper products and cleaning products there? Perhaps the kids need new beds anyway. Why not get a pedestal bed with storage drawers underneath? This might even be a solution for sports equipment like skis if you’ve got space beneath the bed in your master. Think outside the box and the box will suddenly seem a lot bigger!

“I’m trying to move into a larger home, but I have to sell my smaller one first!”

This sounds like a fantastic problem to have, but trying to sell a house you’ve outgrown can be tricky. First of all, see the steps above. If you’ve got unused stuff it might be time to donate or sell it. After all, you don’t want to move into a larger house and just swallow it up with a bunch of things you don’t even need!

Moving is the perfect time to purge. Get started as soon as you make the decision to put your house on the market. Perhaps even before. People need to be able to see your home. You might have outgrown it, but it may be just what they need. Unfortunately, if it is jam packed with boxes and boxes of your stuff, they can’t see just how perfect a fit it would be for them.

Don’t be afraid to start packing. In fact, DO pack. You. Are. Moving. Yes. If you pack the entire kitchen, you might have an issue making dinner, but you can pack most of the kitchen and be just fine. Moving is a mindset. Your house WILL sell. It might not sell tomorrow, but it will sell. Sure, in the interim you might experience a bit of inconvenience. Those are growing pains. They’re a natural part of this process. After all, you’re moving and eventually you will be settled in your beautiful new home! So get your stuff into boxes and tuck it into your best friend’s garage. Or your garage, if you have one. Even a month or two lease on a storage unit might be a good plan. Not to mention, paying for storage could REALLY motivate you to purge.

Once again, it’s not a bad idea to call a professional. Kendra Henning at Stuff Happens has a pretty spectacular track record with getting growing families from House A to House B with minimal fuss and stress.

“I’m downsizing after 30 years of living in the same house and I think my cat is lost in my office.”

Yes. This happens in Los Alamos more than you might think. In fact, I would bump that number up to perhaps forty plus years. This situation can also apply when an elderly parent has either passed away, or has decided to enter an assisted care facility or a smaller, senior living apartment.

This is when it can feel as though you are drowning in stuff. Paper can be one of the most prominent items to dispose of. Just because things are often all electronic now, that doesn’t mean the first thirty years of credit card statements and magazines aren’t still covering every surface in that home office. Before you get overwhelmed, ask yourself if you’re really ready to take on this task. It isn’t worth damaging yourself, your physical health, or your relationship with your elderly parent or relative when hiring a professional may be the better answer.

If that’s not an option you can choose, then I highly suggest making a plan BEFORE you attempt to sort anything. This plan should involve a realistic list of what will be useful in your/your relative’s next living situation, and then locating those items and setting them aside before you begin sorting the rest. It does no good to purge and purge and then realize you have to go and buy something you need because you already donated the one you had.

When it comes to a huge project that involves condensing decades worth of stuff accumulation, it pays to understand the ins and outs of estate sales, donations, and who to call when you need heavy lifting help. Even deciding what to keep and what to part with can be a difficult task. Remember, your unwanted junk might be someone else’s treasure, but finding that person takes industry know how and contacts.

The emotional impact of necessary purging can be paralyzing. I highly recommend calling Stuff Happens if you are facing this daunting task. Kendra Henning is a former project manager and Realtor with a deep understanding of what it takes to make an organized move happen. She is also a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers. There are plenty of ways to make a move less stressful for your senior if you know how to work the logistics in their favor. Take advantage of Kendra’s industry knowledge to minimize the impact of this life changing event.

Whatever your issue with STUFF, remember that there are industry professionals out there who want to help. Whether you need a professional organizer or a Realtor, don’t be afraid to ask for help. We are only a phone call away!

If You’ve Got a Stuff Issue, Visit Stuff Happens ONLINE or CALL KENDRA HENNING today!