The challenges of downsizing and relocating cherished possessions
Susan Masi faced the task of selling her townhouse in Surrey, B.C., to move in with her son and grandchildren earlier this year, knowing she would have to part with sentimental items. Among these were a China cabinet gifted by her mother upon marriage and a mahogany dining table passed down from her great-grandmother, believed to be over 126 years old.
Letting go of possessions with deep emotional ties proved to be a tough decision for Masi. She mentioned, “We sat 12 people around that table. It breaks my heart to let it go, but this is the house I’m living in now. There’s no way that it fits.” Downsizing to fit her new living situation, Masi had to part ways with furniture, dinnerware, and knickknacks, retaining only a fraction of her belongings.
June Cotte, a marketing professor at Western University, emphasized that relinquishing cherished items can feel like losing a piece of one’s identity. With Canada’s aging population, more individuals may encounter similar challenges. Statistics Canada projects that by 2030, one in four Canadians will be 65 or older, with a RE/MAX survey indicating that 16% of Canadians over 65 plan to downsize in the next decade.
In such situations, individuals often turn to family or friends to pass on their possessions, a process that can lead to difficult conversations. Some struggle to find suitable recipients for their items, delaying decisions until it’s too late. Seeking assistance, some opt for agents to help find new homes for their possessions.
Masi enlisted the services of Estate Sales by Christine Caroline, a Vancouver-based company, to navigate through her belongings. With the guidance of Christine Valk, the company identified valuable items for auction, facilitated discarding unwanted items, and arranged for recycling or donations for a second life for select possessions.
June Cotte stressed the importance of having a downsizing strategy, especially for larger items, recommending that individuals start the process before a move or while they are still alive. While younger generations may inherit a significant amount of items, older Canadians might be surprised by the reduced value these possessions hold for potential buyers.
Christopher Reid, CEO of MaxSold, an online auction platform for estate sales and downsizing, highlighted the enduring appeal of vintage items to buyers seeking pieces with history. Reid noted the demand for items like CDs, vinyl records, and classic radios, emphasizing that while some may find joy in the resale market, others turn to professional services due to time constraints or lack of interest in the selling process.
For Masi, the emotional weight of downsizing was palpable as she sorted through decades of memories. While some possessions faced disposal, she found it challenging to part with family photos, underscoring the sentimental value attached to them. Despite the difficulties, Masi found solace in reminiscing about the cherished memories created around her possessions over the years.