Friday, March 29, 2013

The reality of it all...

One of the best things about being a Senior Move Manager and helping older adults, is the opportunities to meet some amazing people!

One of the things I like least about being a move manager is having to tell older adults and their families that the things their loved ones have collected over the years have decreased in value and the market has become flooded with furniture, china, crystal, silverplate flatware, and collectible figurines.  

Yes, people are buying them, but they are not paying retail or even what the selling price was many moons ago.  You're lucky if you get flea-market prices!  Don't get me wrong, there are things have have retained or gone up in value, but those are few and far between.  (Like the Chinese bowl found at a garage sale that sold for $2.2 million.)


It really stinks having to tell clients that the furniture that looks so lovely in their home (that they paid good money to have reupholstered or refinished) really isn't worth it for someone to come pick up and try to resell.  And with today's fuel prices, the dealer can't make enough on the furniture to cover the fuel. Even the antique dealers are finicky about the things they want....is has to be over 100 years old to even peak their interest!


"But what about the china, crystal and silver plate displayed so nicely in my china hutch?  Certainly someone will want that!"  Unfortunately, not for the price you think they should pay.  

Today's generation doesn't want to hand wash china and crystal or polish silver.  In fact most "we buy gold" places don't want to deal with silver plate items because there isn't enough silver in it when melted down.

Many people invested in collectibles, anticipating they would sell them when they retired and contribute to their nest egg.  "I should be able to get a lot for my Hummels."  Again, someone will buy them but probably only for pennies on the dollar.  People who used to collect them are dying and there aren't too many people around who want them these days.  Here's an article about 9 Completely Worthless Collectibles.  

Every day, 10,000 people turn 65 and are retiring.  Plus, people are living longer.  If they can afford it, many are downsizing to smaller accommodations.  Here's an article that talks about Baby Boomers Downsizing and looking to sell their stuff.

The other reality older adults have to face is the fact that their kids will probably not want their stuff.  It's not their style.  They don't have room in their home. It's too costly to ship.

So, what is one to do when one is looking to get sell their things?  Be realistic! 

Estate liquidation companies can help with selling their things.  But it is the public that determines the selling price.  And they will have to pay (by way of commission) to sell their stuff.  Some people are able to make enough to cover their moving expenses, but for many, there is value in just emptying a house, ec.

Sorry to be Realistic Ruth (or Debbie Downer), but it is the reality of it all. 

For more information on how A Stress-Less Transition, LLC can help you or an older adult, please visit our website.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The greatest gift


Gifts come in all shapes, sizes, colors and for any occasion you can think of!

Recently, I was helping a client prepare for her move into much smaller accommodations.  She was in a two-level town home with as much space downstairs as there was upstairs.  She had many lovely antique furniture pieces, collectibles and art work but also a lot of "stuff" that had accumulated over the years.  

We worked together - me pulling things off shelves, her making decisions about where things would go (move to the new place, give to friends or donate).

As the carport began to fill with boxes of things set aside for donation pick-up, she exclaimed, 

"I hope my kids realize what a gift I'm giving them!"

The gift she was referring to was all the work she had been doing to pare down and find homes for the things she didn't want/weren't going to fit in her new apartment.  The gift she was giving was not something tangible, but rather making decisions about her things and ultimately minimizing the time, angst and responsibility her sons would have with after she passed away (many, many years down the road).

Think about the things you can start doing to make it easier on yourself and your family when the time does come for you to transition out of your home.  What gift will you leave?


For more information on how A Stress-Less Transition, LLC can help you or an older adult, please visit our website.