Sheldon Smtihens, co-host of Canadian Pickers, sits down with Unison Alberta to share methods for downsizing during a new video released on their YouTube channel. YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT
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On Thursday a YouTube channel run by Unison Alberta released a video that discussed the challenges and realities seniors can expect to face when downsizing their homes.
During the hour-long online video Sheldon Smithens, co-host of the TV show ‘Canadian Pickers,’ sits down with a Unison interviewer to share advice for downsizing including auctions, estate sales, online listings, donations and consignment shops.
The emotional challenges of downsizing, particularly when dealing with sentimental items, was on the forefront of the conversation. Smithens emphasizes the importance of beginning the downsizing process early to avoid an overwhelming process.
“I find the hardest part is just getting started,” says Smithens. “Talk to people, talk to more people, talk to friends that have done it and gone through the process and come up with a game plan and then swiftly execute it, that’s my best advice.”
During the video Smithens explains the process of conducting an estate sale as well as the role of estate sale companies and the importance of researching their reputation.
“Just like everything there are what I consider to be well run estate sale businesses and some, not so much,” says Smithens, who says if you keep an eye on the market you can generally see what companies are running the most sales.
Donating items to charities or museums can also be a hassle free way to clear the clutter and has the potential for tax receipts, as well as using online marketplaces like Kijiji and eBay.
Smithens is a well-known expert when it comes to auctions and appraisals and has worked on both the Canadian Antiques Roadshow as well as Canadian Pickers. He says there are many methods when it comes to “lightening the load” while putting a little cash back in your pocket.
However, Smithens shared that he has noticed a decline in the antiques markets and says many items have lost value over the last 20 to 30 years in categories such as furniture, silverware and jewelry, fine China and porcelain, glass as well as sentimental items.
Smithens cites a shift in demographics and changing tastes that have contributed to the market decline.
“Demographics have changed,” says Smithens. “Even just the accommodation, people are living in smaller accommodations and maybe formal dining is a thing of the past.
“Most of the things, and I would say between 95 to 99 per cent of the things that you see in a normal home, sadly have not been appreciated and they will become a little more difficult to deal with.”
However, some unique art and collectibles that are lying around collecting dust could be worth a small fortune.
“Some of the things that we’ve acquired over a lifetime have actually become more desirable,” explains Smithens. “And top of mind would be art pieces.
“Many original artworks have been appreciated and some unbelievably so in the last while.”
He says antique items that include oil and gas companies like signs, pumps and cans are seeing an increase in value.
To watch the entire video, visit YouTube.com and search for ‘Unison for Generations 50+’ page and look for the video titled ‘The truth about downsizing. The good, the bad and the unexpected.’
