60 Years of Stuff, 4 Days to Sell: Why Keep Give Go Matters

Recently, I had the privilege of helping a family navigate one of the most emotional and overwhelming experiences: cleaning out a loved one’s home after a lifetime of memories.

Ms. Tatarko had lived in her home for over 60 years. Last July, her son moved her into a long-term care facility, and sadly, she passed away this past fall. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and when he called me, he asked if I could help coordinate the sale of his mom’s home.

When I first walked in, I quickly realized what we were dealing with. The home was filled—wall to wall, closet to closet—with 60 years of collected belongings. Every room told a story.

One closet made me smile. It was filled with bottles of alcohol—probably 50 of them—some dating back 30 years. Friends had brought them to parties over the decades. The funny part? Ms. Tatarko didn’t even drink. She graciously accepted each gift and tucked it away. Bottle after bottle, untouched.

She also had six full sets of china, many passed down through generations. Her son had no idea what any of it might be worth. We later discovered that a very “1970s-style” dining room set was valued at nearly $5,000.

Before making any decisions, I waited for her son to fly in so he could see everything for himself. When he arrived, I introduced him to my Keep Give Go labels, and we got to work.

Together, we sorted through every item and asked five simple questions:

• Do I Keep this and take it back to Ohio?

• Do I Give it to someone special?

• Should I Donate it?

• Is it worth Selling?

• Or is it time to Dispose of it?

Piece by piece, room by room, we made thoughtful decisions.

The sorting and disposal alone cost about $10,000, including dump trucks and moving supplies. We created designated “Give” and “Donate” areas and invited charities to come pick up what they could use. We sold the dining set and one china set. Everything else was thoughtfully placed where it belonged.

Once his U-Haul was packed, he headed back to Ohio—relieved and grateful that he didn’t have to manage this process alone.

Now, we had a blank canvas.

Next came preparing the home for sale. We ordered inspections and discovered termites, a failing roof, a broken garbage disposal, and water damage under the floor from a leaking refrigerator. We brought in a handyman to fix what made sense. We decided to sell the home “as-is” with termites and the old roof, while repairing everything else.

Cosmetically, we refreshed the home:

• Removed old curtains

• Updated lighting

• Replaced gold-plated switch plates with clean white ones

• Installed new downstairs carpet

• Repaired drywall in the garage

• Fixed plumbing and minor repairs

Then I hired a professional cleaner, staged the home, and scheduled professional photography. All of that totaled about $20,000, which was paid through escrow—so the son didn’t have to come out of pocket.

We strategically listed the home in December, when inventory was low in this highly desirable area.

Four days.Three offers.Sold “as-is.”All contingencies removed.

Success.

Most importantly, her son felt peace. He was relieved. He didn’t have to manage contractors, cleaners, donations, or showings. His only job was deciding what mattered most to him and driving his U-Haul home.

And that’s the real lesson here.

Ms. Tatarko left her son a meaningful legacy—but also a very big and expensive task.

Wouldn’t it have been easier if those conversations had happened earlier?

This is what people now call “death cleaning.” It may sound morbid, but it’s really about love, preparation, and respect for your family.

We all know this moment is inevitable. So why not start now—one room at a time?

My Give stickers are a wonderful way to invite your children, grandchildren, and siblings to tell you what matters to them. It opens the door to honest conversations.

And then you can start letting go of:

• The eight sheet sets that haven’t touched a bed in 20 years

• The three extra dish sets overflowing your cabinets

• The “just in case” items that never get used

Be realistic. How many plates do you really need?

And here’s something beautiful: organizations like Acres of Hope help women escaping domestic violence rebuild their lives. Many of these families leave with nothing but the clothes they’re wearing. A donated set of dishes or household items can mean everything to them.

Your unused items can become someone else’s fresh start.

So… are you ready to begin downsizing?

Call or text me for your free Keep Give Go labels, and let’s start the process together.

One room.One decision.One step at a time.

Let’s Keep. Let’s Give. Let’s Go. 💛