Those of us born in the 50’s now face the daunting task of either moving our parents out of or closing up the family home.
Below is a somewhat successful recipe for emptying a house. That being said, the mindset has to be shifted from “your mother’s home” to “your mother’s house.” She is no longer residing there; it is now a thrift house.
Have plenty of snacks, drinks and wine available.
You will need garbage bags, boxes, packing tape, painter’s tape, markers and more boxes!
Have family go through first and claim and remove what is agreed upon. Do it first and have them get their stuff out of there.
Have stations set up:
– A station for garbage to be collected and bagged immediately. This also includes non-donatable items.
– Selling station – things of value not claimed by anyone.
– Donate station with bags and boxes to put things into immediately. Mark appropriately.
– Staging station: an area out of the way with items to help stage the house for sale. These items are then boxed up for donation when the house sells.
Lastly, an unknown “station.” This is what I call my “later gator” station. This includes things that I am on the fence about, things that grief is making me want to save or that I know that so and so will truly regret not taking them down the road.
The idea is to separate everything to the different stations and then deal with stations as a whole. The kitchen is already a station.
If you have a duplicate at home and hers is better, donate yours.
Put painter’s tape on the back of artwork and hanging wall items as to who gets it, or if it’s for sale or donate, and take it to the appropriate station.
Food – donate canned goods if not out of date and you can’t use them. Also boxed staples are donatable – food pantries appreciate it.
Paperwork: box for later, you must destroy some and can dump some. Save what may be needed for taxes or inheritance.
Family photos: Let family members sift through and then box for later.
Books: Donate to your local library for their book sales.
When stations are full, make runs to the places they need to go. Make sure you have a full vehicle each time.
When the house is staged for sale and empty of personal property, do a thorough cleaning and then invite the Realtors for competitive bids to list it.
