“Just Empty the House” Is Doing Some Heavy Lifting

My family is emptying my great-aunt's house this month, and whew. It's been a LOT. ❤️‍🩹

She moved into assisted living about nine years ago and passed away in 2021. My family finally sold the house, so now it's crunch time.

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The house? A 1962 brick ranch built like a fortress. About 3,000 square feet on the main floor, plus another 3,000 in the basement.

That's a whole lot of house to empty.

And our family's version of fighting over the contents sounds like this:

"You should have that."

"No, YOU should have that."

Everyone wants the family treasures to stay in the family. Everyone also has a home that already contains plenty of things.

My cousin joked that she's been in international negotiations less tense than this. Honestly, fair. 😆😮‍💨

There's something very specific about looking at an object and thinking, "I have absolutely nowhere to put this," immediately followed by, "but that's Auntie's."

You can appreciate something, remember exactly where it sat, and want it to be cared for without having a single available square foot for it.

Then someone lovingly suggests that YOU take it home, and negotiations resume.

I help people navigate home sales, downsizing and family transitions for a living. Doing this with my own family is a reminder of how much work gets tucked into "just empty the house."

Every item needs a decision. Some need a conversation. Some apparently require a diplomatic summit.

Meanwhile, there's the physical work of sorting, packing and moving everything, and the calendar keeps moving too.

If your family is approaching something similar, give the cleanout its own place in the plan. Figure out who has time to help, who actually has room to take things, and what options you have for everything else.

Try to leave room for an honest "I love it, but I can't take it." Loving the person and keeping all their belongings are two different commitments.

That's something I'm reminding myself of, too.

As an Oak Park-ish Realtor who helps people figure out their next chapter, I know how much these transitions ask of a family. Right now, I'm living that part alongside mine.

There's love in wanting these things to stay with us. There's also a limit to how much fits in our houses.

Apparently we all need another basement. 😆

PS: I put together a practical guide to the sorting, sentimental decisions, donations, and deadlines, with local resources for organizing, estate sales, cleanouts, and senior living guidance.

If your family is facing something similar, I hope this makes figuring out where to start a little easier. ❤️‍🩹