Skip Header Navigation

Sign-in

  
Finding Your Home
 Finding a Home
  Knowing How Much You Can Afford
  The Cost of Homeownership
  Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
  Choosing the Right Neighbourhood
  Choosing the Right Home
  Buying a New vs. Existing Home
  First-Time Home Buyer Financing
  Downsizing Your Home
 Buying a Home
 Selling Your Home
 Renting a House or Apartment
 Moving to a New Home
 Getting Settled in a New Home
RBC Community Corner
Mortgage Centre
Renovating Your Home
An Energy Efficient Home
» Search
Finding Your Home

Downsizing Your Home

 

Downsizing Your Possessions

Treasured collections, mementos, family heirlooms and antiques…most of us have deep attachments to certain possessions and the memories they stir.

But living in less space usually means living with less "stuff." And cleaning out can be difficult and sometimes painful. Here are some tips that may help:

  • Make sure the items are actually yours. You may have forgotten you're storing something for a friend or family member.
  • Decide which items you'd like to give to family and friends.
  • Think hard about how your things will fit into your new home. Keep just your favourites.
  • Remember the "one-year test." If you haven't used or worn it in a year or more, you probably don't need it.
  • Think about what you may be able to sell-you can use the money to buy things for your new home. (If you're really daring, consider selling all your existing furniture and buying new.)
  • Ask your financial advisor if you can get a tax break for donating any of your possessions to charity.
  • It's a big job-do it in stages and take your time. Sort through your possessions a room at a time.
Jump To
Finding a Home when Downsizing
Downsizing without Moving
Downsizing Your Possessions

Take Action
Talk to a Mortgage Specialist
Start your Pre-Approval online

Related Links
Mortgage Centre
Redefine Retirement

 
08/07/2008 08:03:12