How Do I Help My Parents Downsize Their Home?

Remember, it is still their home, their belongings, their memories and their decision.

We have helped dozens of families navigate downsizing here in the south Denver metro area and we have seen something over and over again.

The adult children are often looking at the situation very practically. They are concerned about their parents' safety, walking up and down stairs, mowing and shoveling. And the biggest concern is, “how are they going to purge all their stuff?”

Your mom and dad are looking at this differently. The memories of raising their family here, the holidays, the grandkids coming over. This home is not just rooms, it is all their memories of family.

You want them to make the decision, so how can you get to that point with them?

Ask them questions.

1. If you ever decided to move, what would you want your next place to look like?

2. What would have to happen to make you decide to downsize?

3. What is your biggest concern about downsizing?

Do not make your first conversation about selling the home. That might put them in a defensive position. Let them know you are just starting the conversation, simply that. You may have been thinking about it and the subject hasn’t even crossed their minds.

If that is where your family is right now, we will have more blogs regarding this.

You don’t have to figure it all out at once. Just start.