I can’t believe it’s been THREE weeks since I’ve shared a downsizing update with you. My last update was April 20 after we had just had an EPIC garage sale making $3,280. Right after the garage sale we jumped into a few other projects – we took 2-3 carloads to a local thrift shop, we got our roof replaced on our house, did a ton of yard work – including laying fresh bark everywhere, and then just a few days later we listed our house for SALE.
We listed our house for sale on the evening of Friday, May 1. Over that weekend we had three viewings and THREE offers by Monday! It was crazy, my friends. Just crazy. We went under contract that follow Monday night! This was such a RELIEF. We have been working so very hard to get the house ready to sale that I was dreading the viewing/selling process – keeping it spotless with the kids with the possibility of a viewing at anytime!?! So we are under a contract with a closing date the first week of June.
{Side note :: I ADORE our realtor Eric Hjelm with Greene Realty Group. He reminds me of a favorite uncle. He’s incredibly genuine, hardworking, smart and he makes me feel like I’m his only client. I would definitely recommend him – tell him Heather Clarke sent you!}
I think downsizing BEFORE we listed made a HUGE difference. Our closets have only the necessities, our garage is clean and organized, our kitchen cabinets spacious – it showed VERY well because it wasn’t filled with extra stuff.
The other benefit to downsizing BEFORE we listed is I feel a whole lot less stressed about packing stuff up. We have about four weeks until the house closes – and the amount of crap stuff that we have to pack is drastically reduced. And so far I haven’t missed anything we’ve sold. Life is so much simpler now without the extra stuff.
And the crazy thing is we have a LOT more stuff to get rid of. Although I haven’t revealed exactly what is to come – it’s no secret that we’ll be drastically reducing our square footage. A lot more stuff has to go before the closing date. I need to RALLY and get it done.
So we’re having another garage sale! I know. . . we are certifiable. But our neighborhood garage sale is NEXT weekend – so the traffic will already be roaming our neighborhood. It means less advertising for us. So we will put out a bunch more stuff on this Friday to sell. Although it’s a two-day sale I don’t think I’m up for that – so Friday we’re going to sell whatever else we can.
I’m also going to try and list some bigger furniture online this week via the local Facebook group. I need to get motivated for this – after getting the house under contract I feel like we had finished a marathon. And now all I want to do is rest. But I need to get back at it!
2015 Downsizing progress to date –
Week 1 update here – earned $548.16
Week 2 update here – earned $1,283.47
Week 3 update here – earned $432.40
Week 4 update here – earned $300
Week 5 update here – earned $395
Week 6 update here – earned $160
Week 7 update here – earned zilch, nada, nothing!
Week 8 update here – earned $645!!
Week 9 and 10 update – earned $715
Week 11 update – earned $3,280.88!!
Week 12, 13, 14 update – we sold the HOUSE (under contract), plus earned $400 from selling a couple high-end items
Year-to-date – $8,159.91
These are the two items I’ve sold over the last three weeks, earning us $400:
Silhouette Cameo starter kit (new) – $175
Weber Gas Grill – $225
I don’t have a photo of it, we sold it to a family friend. I do miss this. We used it a lot. But it can’t come with us when we move – so we had to sell.
If you missed it earlier, here is why we are downsizing:
- We have plans to move this summer and instead of upgrading to a bigger, better house, we plan to dramatically reduce our square footage. We aren’t being forced to do this – it’s a choice. We want to spend less on our next “home” so that we can focus more on things we love and value – like travel. We are selling nearly EVERYTHING to do this.
- I want to own my stuff and not have it own me. Ultimately I only want to keep the items that a.) serve a purpose and b.) that bring me joy.
If you’re joining me for Project Downsize – I’d love to hear what you got rid of this week! Pick a goal for this week and share it here, please!
Margarite H says
I love all this downsizing, I too am in to downsizing for an eventual sale and move of my home! I also love all your amazon deals, so it’s a love-hate relationship with downsizing….do you find luck selling on Offerup in our area? aka; South sound? or recommendations on any other sites to sell items? Thanks again!
Sierra says
Congrats on downsizing and selling, and thanks for sharing all about it! I’m a local reader, and I’d really like to check out your next garage sale if I can. How can I find it?
Carrie says
I’m road tripping with my husband today & just shared with him what you’ve been up to this year with Project Downsize. Its been been such an inspiration to me throughout the year, we are looking to be more intentional in our lives so your philosophy in action is especially meaningful. I cannot fathom the focus & commitment you have to be doing this with small kids at home. Bravo!
Melissa says
Congratulations on the selling of your house and stuff! Good for you guys. I recently downsized as well. I wanted to spend my weekends with my kids, not yard work or chores around the house. Now, I can clean my entire house in under an hour. It’s great! Good luck to you! Quick question: Are you by chance selling that beautiful dining room table set in your posts? If so, I’d love to buy it. If not, can you tell me where you got it? I LOVE IT! Thanks so much for all you do!
Vickie says
Heather, Congratulations on selling your house (& everything else, lol:))! So do you have the smaller home picked out already or how do you time something like that? I am impressed by your organizational skills.
Heather Clarke says
Hey Vickie – We know exactly where we’re going to be living. Just can’t spill those beans yet. The timing will work out just perfectly, for lots of reasons. More on that later!! 🙂
Heather says
Holy cow! I don’t normally click over to your posts, just get the highlights in my email. I think you are going to buy an RV and just travel as a family!!! If I’m right I am so excited to read a blog all about it!!! This seems like the ultimate family thing to me!!
Heather Clarke says
Heather – Ooooh, that does sound amazing!! Can’t wait to tell you all about our plans. Stay tuned!
Trina Newman says
Great article! Congratulations on the sale of you house!
Heather Clarke says
Thank you Trina!!
Heidi says
What the heck?!?! I’ve been trying to sell my cameo starter set for a month on Craigslist and Facebook groups and NO one comes through! They all flake. The thing was only used for some demos and I realized that I don’t want to be bothered. I know those scrapbooking chicks are our there but where?
Heather Clarke says
Hmmm. How much did you have it priced and do you have photos and a good description of everything included? Maybe I just lucked out!?
Daniele @ Domestic Serenity says
I am SO inspired by these downsize posts! Thank you so much for sharing, and congratulations on the house sell. 🙂
Heather Clarke says
Hi Daniele – Thank you so much for leaving a comment – I’m so glad that you are inspired by our downsizing posts. It’s been a life changer for us – I really think.
Jairus says
So good to hear your downsizing plans went so well. Also I think the reasons why you are downsizing are great. We are looking at possibly selling and moving sometimes in the next two years and watching you go thru the downsizing process has been inspirational. Thanks for sharing!
Heather Clarke says
Hey Jairus – So glad that we’re inspiring you! Two years is a great timeframe for setting the goal and achieving it! Anything is possible – and I feel so much more free without the burden of stuff. Best of luck to you!!