Should I sell first or buy first?
Both approaches work, and the right one depends on your finances, the market, and your comfort with uncertainty.
Selling first means the proceeds from your old home are known and available before you commit to the next one. That can make you a stronger, more confident buyer, but it can also mean finding a temporary place to live if the sale closes before your new home is ready.
Buying first gives you more time to find the right home and move directly into it, but it can mean carrying two homes, or needing financing that relies on the old home's sale. We will look at your numbers and your tolerance for a gap, and choose the order that fits.
How much is my home worth?
Your home is worth what a ready, able buyer will pay for it today, which is best estimated by comparing it with similar homes that have recently sold.
I prepare a market analysis using comparable sales, your home's condition, and current market conditions. It is not a guarantee and it is not an appraisal, but it is a solid, honest working number, and it costs you nothing to request.
What should I keep?
Start with the next home, not the current one. Measure the rooms and storage of where you are going, then ask of each possession: will I use this there, and does it fit?
Keep the things that are useful, meaningful, or genuinely loved. For the rest, give treasured items to family now, donate what others can use, and let go of what has simply finished its job. The memories travel with you, not with the furniture.
Do I have to fix everything before selling?
No, and one of my jobs is to keep you from spending money that will not come back.
Some homes sell best after a few selective improvements. Others sell as-is, with the price honestly reflecting the condition, and some sell quickly to a cash buyer. We compare all the scenarios and let the math decide. Full details live in our guide to selling as-is.
How much does moving cost?
Costs vary widely, because every move is a different size and distance. The honest answer is that you will know once you collect quotes from a few reputable movers.
What you can do early is get several written estimates, ask what services they include (packing, disassembly, stairs, distance), and book well ahead of your preferred dates. I can point you to the kinds of vetted moving, packing, estate sale, and donation resources that fit a downsizing timeline.
What about taxes?
Selling a home can have tax implications, including how any gain is treated, and the rules depend on your individual situation.
The right step is to consult a qualified tax professional about your specifics before you commit to a timeline. I gladly share the real estate numbers, net proceeds estimates, and closing details so your tax conversation starts from facts, not guesses.
Years of clutter: where do I begin?
Begin with one easy room, and give yourself a finish line for each session. The linen closet, a single drawer, or the kitchen cabinets are perfect first wins.
Sort into three piles, keep, give away, and let go, and do not let the perfect become the enemy of the done. A few sessions a week is far more effective than one overwhelming weekend, and professional organizers are available when the job is simply too big to face alone. Our step-by-step downsizing plan shows where this fits in the larger timeline.
Have a question that is not on this list? Ask it. If I do not know the answer, I will find it for you.