News Blog

APR2025 – What’s New in Downsizing

Posted on by Niki Clay

Hello, there!

April is here, and with Spring in the air, we are itching to get some projects in motion!

Are you ready to simplify your life and downsize? Take our quiz to find out! We’re hearing that more and more younger people who are approaching age 55 are getting excited about the convenience and fun of a 55-plus community. Finally, if you’ve made the decision to move, we’re sharing tips from a professional interior designer on how to feather your new nest with safety (and style!).


Meet Niki, Senior Settlers Administrator and Newsletter Editor

Hi, there! My name is Niki Clay, the person you’ve been getting these newsletters from. I’m a Marin County native and mom to a six year old son. I began working at Senior Settlers in 2021 after working at my family’s business for almost 10 years.
Any time you see a social media post, blog post, or newsletter, you’ll know it’s me at work behind the scenes!

We launched a YouTube channel! Our first video features owner, Libby Wood, on a podcast with Steve Harper from the Global Podcast Network.

Click this link to watch, and we’ll keep you updated whenever a new video is posted.

Are You Ready to Downsize?
 
Our quiz will help you evaluate your readiness by asking key questions about your home, belongings, and mindset toward change. Once you’ve answered the questions, you’ll have a clearer understanding of whether downsizing is the right move for you—now or in the near future. 
Generation X is Ready for Senior Living
 
People approaching 55 have high hopes for fun, low-maintenance lifestyles. Whether it’s pickleball, fire pits or dog-washing stations, Over-55 communities are prepared to offer them the fun and carefree lifestyle they’ve been waiting for.

Simplify With Style!
 
Whether you’re starting from scratch or combining your favorite furnishings with new accents, a professional designer can help you achieve the look you want. 

MAR2025 – What’s New in Downsizing

Posted on by Niki Clay

Hello, there!

A new season is just around the corner, and you may be feeling inspired to do some Spring cleaning and downsizing as a result. This month we’re offering pro advice on storage ideas for tiny bathrooms, downsizing our collections of cleaning supplies, and pro advice for dealing with family “treasures” that have been passed down to you. 

5 Steps to Declutter Your Home

Senior Settlers, LLC, is incredibly fortunate to have Stacey Tunteri, a NAPO-certified professional organizer, on staff. Stacey shared this article with us, and we hope it motivates or inspires you for Spring Cleaning!
Must-Have Cleaning Supplies

It’s easy to accumulate too many cleaning products!  As you do your spring cleaning this year, we recommend that you use the supplies that you have on hand. And going forward, you may want to reduce your supplies to this short list of essentials. 
Small Bathroom Storage Ideas

Struggling to keep your small bathroom organized? These 18 smart storage ideas will help you maximize every inch of space while keeping your essentials within easy reach.

Simply Steps to Preserve Family History

Taking smart steps now to curate and preserve your family’s historical items is the best path to having a collection that the generations ahead can truly appreciate and enjoy.

FEB2025 – What’s New in Downsizing

Posted on by Niki Clay

Happy February!

Downsizing is all about making your life simpler. If you’re struggling to decide which items to take with you when you move, count on Senior Settlers for the insight and pro advice to help you make the most of your transition.

This month we are looking at items that aren’t worth moving, wondering if you should try to hold on to your parents’ house, and just for fun: looking around for valuable vintage.

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Should You Keep Your Parents’ House?

It’s very common for heirs or adult children to consider keeping the family home as an investment property.  For some, this works out well, but the majority of people may find it’s more trouble than it’s worth.  
Don’t Waste Money Moving These Six Things 

We’ve seen plenty of strange things that people move, but we also see these common items that can often cost more to move than they are worth!
 

High-Value Vintage?

For most items, “vintage” may just mean “old”!  But some vintage items have serious value. Do you have any of the vintage goods on this list?

JAN2025 – What’s New in Downsizing

Posted on by Niki Clay

Hello there!

Welcome to January! We wish you a happy and healthy 2025.

A new year means new chances to make positive changes and begin your downsizing journey. This month, we’re sharing tips on how to create an accurate floor plan, as well as some of the common situations we’ve seen where real estate deals can fall through.

How to DIY a Floor Plan

An accurate floor plan is essential when you’re paring down your belongings and moving to a smaller place. These pro tips for a do-it-yourself floor plan tell you everything you need to know about the low-tech “paper doll” method for floor plans.  
5 Ways Real Estate Deals Fall Through

It’s always exciting to get a strong offer to purchase your property, but smart sellers hold off on celebrating until settlement. Here’s five common ways a real estate deal can fall through during the contract phase.
 

Will Your Family Want Your Stuff?

Traditional heirlooms like china and collectibles may not be in demand with the younger generation, but antique furniture, tools, artwork, and jewelry may find welcome recipients!

DEC2024 – What’s New in Downsizing

Posted on by Niki Clay

Hello there!

As you prepare to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, we hope you’ll also give yourself time to advance your downsizing and decluttering goals. You don’t need to wait until January to make a change – we’ve got the tools and advice you need to rightsize your life, starting now! 

This month, we’ve put together some great tips on how to maximize your small space for entertaining. We’d also like to challenge you to complete our 12 Days of Downsizing list, and learn more about the resale value of your fine jewelry. Make the most of the season and set yourself up for a successful 2025! 

Downsize Over the Holidays

The holidays present some challenges for downsizers. While seasonal obligations and activities can make us feel like we don’t have time to think about downsizing, December can actually be a great time to make some progress on your downsizing goals.  
Entertaining in a Small Space

Just because you’re living in a smaller space, it doesn’t mean you can’t still throw a mean party!  We’ve put together some pro tips for small-space entertaining success. 
Does Your Jewelry Have Re-Sale Value?

Thinking about selling your fine jewelry? This article explains how factors like brand prestige, market demand, and the condition of your pieces impact resale prices.

NOV2024 – What’s New in Downsizing

Posted on by Niki Clay

Hello there!

As the holidays rapidly approach and the year tapers to an end, we encourage you to challenge yourself to dedicate some time to downsizing before 2024. It may seem like this time of year is already too busy to add any to-dos to your list, but with our helpful tips, you can actually incorporate downsizing right into your holiday plans! And if you find yourself overwhelmed, our expertise and helping hands are always just a phone call away.

How Do You Downsize Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving presents downsizers with plenty of opportunities to enjoy their traditional meal preparation (or not!), pass special belongings on to family and friends, and focus on the simple joys of life.
What’s it like to work with a Senior Move Manager?

We love this detailed documentary that takes an in-depth look at a typical senior move, including the process before, during and after this 83-year old widower leaves his home of 25 years.
The Awkward Heirloom: No One Wants Grandma’s Fur

When the fashion of yesteryear meets today’s values. How do we honor the sentiment without compromising our beliefs or desires? Here are some NASSM tips on navigating the sometimes complicated process of preserving heirlooms.

OCT2024 – What’s New in Downsizing

Posted on by Niki Clay

Hello there!

As autumn ushers in cooler days and vibrant colors, many of us feel the call to make changes, both inside and outside the home. Whether you’re downsizing, selling, or simply refreshing your living space, these articles offer expert advice to help you transition smoothly this season.

Selling a Furnished Home

Learn the pros and cons of selling a home with furniture. A furnished home can be attractive to buyers, but staging and negotiating personal items can present unique challenges. Click here to read more.
Overcoming Decision Paralysis

Facing too many choices can make downsizing difficult. This article offers strategies to simplify decision-making, helping you avoid overwhelm and move forward confidently. Click here to read more.
Beware the Vacant Home

Vacant homes can be vulnerable to problems like maintenance issues, insurance lapses, and unwanted guests. Learn the top tips to protect your empty property from these potential hazards. Click here to read more.

SEP2024 – What’s New in Downsizing

Posted on by Niki Clay

Hello there!


As the days grow shorter and the season turns, it’s a great time to focus on streamlining and securing your life, both physically and digitally. This month, we explore the importance of organizing your digital legacy, the impact of clutter on well-being, and how downsizing doesn’t have to be a lonely experience.

We will be participating in the San Rafael Business Showcase at Embassy Suites on September 12, 2024. You can learn all about the event here!

Senior Settlers will also have a booth at the Marin County Senior Fair at the Marin Civic Center Exhibit Hall on September 18, 2024. Here is a link for all the event information.

Both events are FREE to the public, and there will be a lot of great giveaways!

The Senior Settlers team is also headed to Chicago for the NASMM 2024 conference. We are A+ certified with NASMM, and look forward to learning and networking with other Senior Move Managers at the end of the month.
Organize Your Digital Legacy

No one enjoys talking about end-of-life issues, but password problems and online access can become a huge issue for those left behind to manage the details. Ensure your digital life is accessible to loved ones by securing passwords and designating legacy contacts on major platforms. Taking these steps can save your family significant stress, time, and money when settling your estate
The Consequences of Clutter

Clutter can pose serious risks, including quality of life issues and physical danger, especially for older adults. This report highlights the real concern and consequences of severe clutter in America.
Downsizing Doesn’t Have to Be a Lonely Existence

Downsizing doesn’t mean giving up on hosting and enjoying your home! With smart planning and multifunctional furniture, you can create a versatile space in your smaller home that’s perfect for both living and entertaining.

View and Download a PDF of the newsletter

What’s New in Downsizing

Posted on by Niki Clay

Hello there!


We hope you are enjoying your summer! We’re thrilled to bring you the latest insights and tips for making your transition smoother and more enjoyable. This month, we are highlighting the cost of delaying your downsizing plans, the top mistakes to avoid, and the latest trends in senior housing. We are also discussing upcoming local events, as well as the difference between Senior Move Managers and moving companies. Dive into these articles to empower your journey and ensure a stress-free move. Enjoy reading and happy downsizing!


Senior Settlers is NASMM A+ Certified, and we would love to help you with your move. All our contact information is below!

We will be participating in the San Rafael Business Showcase at Embassy Suites on September 12, 2024. You can learn all about the event here!

Senior Settlers will also have a booth at the Marin County Senior Fair at the Marin Civic Center Exhibit Hall on September 18, 2024. Here is a link for all the event information.

Both events are FREE to the public, and there will be a lot of great giveaways!


Senior Settlers is NASMM A+ Certified, and we would love to help you with your move. All our contact information is below!

The Price of Procrastination

Delaying your downsizing plans can lead to increased costs and emotional stress. Discover the benefits of acting early and how to streamline your transition effectively.

Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Downsizing

Avoid common pitfalls like underestimating the time needed or neglecting sentimental items. Learn the top mistakes and how to sidestep them for a smoother move.

Senior Housing Rebounds as Boomers Move In

Senior housing is experiencing a resurgence as baby boomers seek new living arrangements post-pandemic. Explore the trends and what this means for the future of senior housing.

View and Download a PDF of the newsletter

Consultation

Posted on by Libby Wood

The home presented itself as a cheerful, well-kept place.  But as I walked through it with the three men who had just inherited it, the sadness underlying the cheer emerged.  The woman who had been Mom and Grandma had just passed away a week earlier.  Mundane, everyday items triggered emotional reactions.  The coat that she had worn so frequently brought tears to her son’s eyes.

But we were there to discuss clearing the house in preparation for selling it.  The men were in the process of deciding which items they each wanted as mementos.  They were not having any problem deciding who would take which items, they just had more items than the remaining family could absorb into their own homes.

“Are any of these things worth selling?” they asked.  Our answer to that varies based not only on what we see as the value of the items, but our perception of the ability of the person to accept that answer.  If we believe that the person will reject our opinion because it conflicts with a preconceived idea of the value, then we will suggest that we involve an expert.  We are often quite confident about what the expert will say but, in those situations, we want that first rejection to come from another source.

In this case, the three men understood that Mom’s precious dishes no longer held the value that they once had, so I could give them a straightforward opinion.  “They could be sold, but the amount you will get for them will most likely be less than the cost of selling them.”  They agreed that what was important was that someone appreciate the dishes, so donating them to charity would be appropriate.

These men were very fortunate.  Not only did they have this lovely woman in their lives for a very long time, but she also left behind a legacy of valuable things.  True, the dishes had little monetary value.  However, the well-maintained house was tremendously valuable, and her coin collection was impressive.

The estate will incur costs.  Removing items from the house requires sorting, packing, and hauling.  The items will go to consignment stores, charity donation centers, recycling facilities, hazardous and electronic waste processing sites, and, as a last resort, landfill.  Then, once that’s complete, the house will need a bit of maintenance and then it can be staged for sale.

We take great pleasure in taking the burden off the shoulders of people like these men who are dealing with loss and grief.  We manage the house clearing project for them so that they are free to deal with all the other issues that come along with losing such a key family figure.  We can do the sorting, we work with consignors and charities, and we bring in haulers.  We keep drama to a minimum, too.