Thinking about shedding stairs, yardwork, or a too‑big house in Holladay? Downsizing can feel emotional and complex, especially if you have years of memories at home. With a clear plan, the right partners, and local know‑how, you can simplify decisions, protect your equity, and move with confidence. This roadmap gives you an easy timeline, practical checklists, and Holladay‑specific tips to make your transition smoother. Let’s dive in.
Decide and plan your move
Clarify your why
Your reason guides every decision. Are you looking to reduce maintenance, lower monthly costs, live on one level, move closer to family or care, or free up equity for retirement? Write your top three goals and share them with family so everyone stays aligned.
Set a realistic timeline
Use this starter plan and adjust for your needs:
- 9–12 months: Decide to downsize, start financial planning, research neighborhoods and housing types, begin light decluttering.
- 6 months: Choose an experienced agent, get repair estimates, continue decluttering and inventory major items.
- 3 months: Finalize pricing and listing plan, secure your next home, schedule movers, plan for donations or an estate sale.
- 4–6 weeks: Confirm packing plan, set up utilities at the new place, forward mail, transfer prescriptions and medical records.
- 1–2 weeks: Finish packing, prep an essentials box, confirm moving logistics, clean and stage the home.
- Move week: Supervise the move, update addresses, set up priority rooms first.
Review finances early
Meet with a financial planner or CPA to estimate sale proceeds, net of transaction costs like commission, closing fees, repairs, and moving. Compare ongoing costs for your next place, including rent or mortgage, HOA fees, utilities, and transportation. For questions about federal home sale exclusions, consult IRS guidance on home sale gains. If you are exploring a reverse mortgage, review HUD and FHA information and speak with a HUD‑approved counselor. If income support is needed, explore federal or state programs through HUD or local aging services.
Map health and care needs
Decide if you prefer to stay independent, move to an age‑restricted community, consider assisted living, or remain in the community with in‑home care. Consider mobility, single‑level living, bathroom accessibility, and proximity to medical providers.
Choose sell‑first or buy‑first
Selling first can simplify financing and timing. Buying first can reduce the stress of temporary housing. Market conditions, storage access, and your comfort with overlapping costs will guide this choice. Build in a backup plan for short‑term housing if needed.
Declutter and prep your home
Use a simple keep‑sell‑donate system
Work room by room and repeat. Use three boxes: keep, sell or donate, and discard. Ask simple questions: How often do I use this? Does someone in the family want it? What would it cost to move and store? Start with easy areas like linens and kitchen items before tackling sentimental pieces.
Protect important documents
Gather legal and financial paperwork in a secure box: wills, deeds, powers of attorney, medical directives, tax records, and home service manuals. Decide what your attorney or executor should hold and what you need during the move.
Smart repairs and safety
Focus on items that matter to buyers and safety. Address roof leaks, HVAC issues, and plumbing or electrical hazards. Simple improvements like neutral paint touchups, deep cleaning, carpet refreshes, and tidy landscaping improve first impressions. If you will still be living in the home during showings, consider temporary grab bars, non‑slip rugs, and better lighting.
Staging that works
A decluttered entry, clean surfaces, and balanced furniture help buyers see the space. Highlight single‑level living areas if you have them. If you need help, ask your agent about light staging and contractor support to keep prep efficient and cost‑effective.
Sell, donate, or dispose items
Best channels to sell
- Estate sale companies: They price, market, and run the sale, then take a commission.
- Auction houses: Useful for high‑value collections or quick liquidation.
- Consignment and specialty sellers: Consider for antiques, instruments, or specialty items.
- Online marketplaces: Effective locally for smaller items. Use safe meetup practices.
Donation options in the Salt Lake area
Common choices include Goodwill, Deseret Industries, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and local shelters. Many offer large‑item pickup. Confirm current policies, accepted items, and pickup windows before scheduling.
Hazardous and e‑waste
Electronics, paint, chemicals, and batteries need special disposal. Salt Lake County offers scheduled disposal programs and drop‑off events. Check the calendar before your cleanout so you can plan around event dates.
Build your support team
Key partners to hire
- Real estate agent with senior experience to price, stage, market, and manage showings.
- Senior Move Manager to plan, declutter, coordinate movers, and set up your new home.
- Moving company with proper licensing and insurance.
- Estate sale or auction company, plus cleanout and junk removal services.
- Contractors and handypersons for repairs or accessibility upgrades.
- Financial planner, CPA, or elder law attorney for documents and tax planning.
- In‑home care agencies or 55+ and assisted living resources if needed.
How to vet providers
Use a consistent checklist:
- Verify licensing and insurance for all companies.
- Ask for local references and review ratings.
- Get written estimates, clear pricing, and cancellation terms.
- Confirm experience working with seniors and willingness to include family in updates.
- For movers, ask about access on hilly streets and stairs common in Holladay.
Where to find providers
Start with national and local directories and agencies. NASMM lists senior move managers. The Eldercare Locator and AARP provide planning resources. Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services offers referrals. The Holladay City website and neighborhood boards can be helpful for local contacts.
Moving logistics made easy
Hire and schedule movers
Get at least three written estimates. For interstate moves, confirm USDOT registration. For local moves, confirm insurance and whether the crew will handle packing, furniture protection, and special items like pianos or safes. Ask about arrival windows and access for larger trucks on neighborhood streets.
Pack for sanity
Create an inventory and label boxes by room and priority. Pack an “open‑first” essentials box with medications, documents, toiletries, a few days of clothing, phone chargers, bedding, and simple kitchen items. Keep it with you or a trusted family member.
Time your move in Holladay
Late spring through early fall is easiest to avoid snow and ice on the Wasatch Front. Winter moves require extra buffers in case of storms. Weekday moves can be simpler for parking and scheduling.
Storage and short‑term housing
If timing is tight, consider short‑term rentals or staying with family. Use climate‑controlled storage for sensitive items. Photograph high‑value items before storage and confirm insurance coverage.
Utilities, mail, and healthcare
Set utility start and stop dates with a small overlap so nothing is shut off early. Forward mail through USPS and notify banks, insurers, and subscriptions. Transfer prescriptions and medical records, and identify your new nearby urgent care and hospital.
After you move
Safety and accessibility first
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, change locks, and map emergency exits. Install grab bars, remove trip hazards, and ensure lighting is bright along hallways and stairs. Set up bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen first for comfort.
Update records
Change your address with banks, Social Security, voter registration, and insurance providers. Confirm any HOA or renters insurance requirements. Keep copies of move contracts and warranties together for easy reference.
Stay connected locally
Prevent isolation by connecting early. Look into senior centers, faith communities, recreation programs, and transportation options. If you do not drive, explore public transit and paratransit options that serve Holladay and nearby medical facilities.
Holladay‑specific tips
Hills, driveways, and parking
Some Holladay neighborhoods have steeper lots and limited street parking. Ask your mover to preview access, plan truck placement, and bring extra equipment for stairs or long carries. Check neighborhood rules about large vehicle parking for moving day.
Transit and access
UTA provides bus service across the valley. TRAX does not directly serve most Holladay neighborhoods, so plan routes to medical providers and family ahead of time. Proximity to I‑215 and I‑80 helps with regional access.
Permits and remodeling
Small safety updates may not need permits, but structural, electrical, or plumbing work usually does. Check the Holladay City building department for current requirements, especially for ramps, widened doorways, or bathroom remodels.
A concierge partner for seniors
Downsizing is more than a transaction. You deserve guidance, careful planning, and a calm process. With senior‑focused expertise, personalized staging support, and a trusted contractor network, you can prepare your home with less stress and meet your goals on your timeline. If you are weighing options in Holladay or the south Salt Lake Valley, let’s talk about a plan that fits your life.
Ready to start with a friendly consultation? Connect with Sue Ann Wilkinson for a local, concierge approach to downsizing.
FAQs
When should I start downsizing in Holladay?
- Begin 9 to 12 months ahead if possible, which gives you time to plan finances, declutter in stages, and choose the right next home without pressure.
Should I sell my home before I buy a new place?
- It depends on your comfort with timing and costs; selling first simplifies financing, while buying first avoids temporary housing but may require storage or bridge solutions.
How do I decide what to keep, sell, or donate?
- Use a three‑box method and ask how often you use an item, its emotional value, the cost to move it, and whether a family member truly wants it.
What are typical moving costs and hidden fees?
- Budget for movers, packing supplies, repairs, cleaning, junk removal, and utility transfers, plus transaction costs like commission, closing fees, and possible staging.
What housing types work well for aging in place?
- Look for single‑level homes, ranch‑style houses, condos or townhomes with main‑level living, or age‑restricted communities if you prefer built‑in amenities.
Which safety upgrades should I prioritize before or after moving?
- Focus on grab bars, non‑slip surfaces, improved lighting, stair and entry access, and addressing any plumbing, electrical, or HVAC hazards first.
Where can I find trustworthy help for packing and moving?
- Check senior move managers, reputable movers, and local referrals from Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services or community boards, and always verify licensing and insurance.
How do winter conditions affect a move in Holladay?
- Allow buffer days for storms, de‑ice driveways and walks, protect floors, and consider rescheduling policies in your mover’s contract to avoid weather surprises.
