For many seniors, downsizing isn’t simply about moving into a smaller home. It’s about making tough decisions on what to keep, sell, or give away.
While the process can feel overwhelming, understanding today’s resale trends and exploring creative solutions can ease the burden. Client Relocation Consultant Alesha Filiatrault with WellRive shares practical insights about how seniors can successfully manage this transition.
Understanding What Sells (And What Doesn’t)
One of the biggest challenges seniors face is realizing that the market value of their belongings isn’t based on what they originally paid or how sentimental an item may be. “It is simply based on what someone is willing to pay for it today,” Filiatrault explains. That can be a hard truth when treasured items go for a fraction of their original cost—or have no resale market at all.
Certain items are hot right now, especially for younger generations setting up homes. Mid-century modern furniture, vinyl records, vintage jewelry, retro kitchenware like Pyrex or cast iron cookware, and even vintage band t-shirts are in demand. Unusual or quirky items in good condition also tend to attract buyers.
On the other hand, many items seniors expect to sell—such as China sets, crystal stemware, silver-plated serving dishes, and bulky oak furniture from the 1980s and 1990s—often don’t. “The market has gotten flooded with a lot of the same things that people were buying to set up their homes in the forties and fifties,” says Filiatrault. Even large pianos and grandfather clocks, while beautiful, rarely fit the lifestyles or spaces of younger buyers.
Options for Selling Belongings
Seniors have several options to part with possessions, each with pros and cons. Consider the following.
- Garage Sales: Ideal for offloading a large volume of items quickly, though they require significant work and often involve haggling.
- Online Platforms: Online marketplaces (Facebook, eBay, Nextdoor) can work well for selling items, but they take tech skills, pricing know-how, and safe-meeting practices. For these reasons, it may be best for a family member to manage listings and pickups to avoid having strangers come to your home.
- Estate Sales: Effective but potentially invasive. “Interview the companies, know what they’re going to charge, and find out what happens to items that don’t sell,” Filiatrault advises.
- Consignment Shops: Good for furniture and clothing but often offer only 30–50% of the final price, with unsold items eventually requiring pickup or donation.
Donation and Creative Giving
Donating remains a meaningful way to keep items out of landfills and help others. Local charities, churches, shelters, and organizations like Habitat ReStore often accept donations, though seniors should confirm what’s currently needed. Items should be clean and in good working order.
For heavier items, some organizations may offer pickup services, but seniors should check policies in advance. During the pandemic, many groups stopped entering homes, and some have continued that practice—creating a challenge for seniors with large furniture.
Filiatrault also suggests thinking outside the box: “One client, a baker, made goodies and delivered them to friends on her China plates, with the understanding that the plates were theirs to keep.” Others invite family to choose items ahead of a move, using painter’s tape to label what goes to whom. These approaches not only reduce clutter but also create opportunities to share family stories tied to treasured items.
When Items Can’t Be Sold or Donated
For belongings that can’t be sold or donated, disposal may be necessary. Seniors should check local guidelines for hazardous or restricted materials. In Dane County, for example, the “Clean Sweep” program accepts electronics, paint, and chemicals, then makes these products available for free to the public at their on-site product exchange store.
Moving Toward Simplicity
Whether seniors choose to sell, donate, or creatively repurpose their belongings, each step brings them closer to a simpler, more manageable life. The process is never easy—emotionally or physically—but as Filiatrault emphasizes, it’s also a chance to pass along stories and memories, not just possessions.
