WITTZ ENDRelocation Concierge Service

Orchestrating & Conducting Your Next Move!

ATTIC FULL OF TREASURES!

Oh my, I never thought there was so much stuff!

What You Will Learn Today

• When & Why to Clean the Attic

• What Kind of Treasures could you find?

• Where to Begin, What you need, and the Process to follow!

• Some handy information to take home.

Nooks and Crannies!

• No not talking about English Muffins

• Attics Large and Small Attics

o Large ones have plenty of nooks and crannies

o Small attics not so many – but still enough to cause anxious moments

Size Does Not Matter!

• Attics are usually the 1st place we think to bring our prized treasures… AND

• Large or small Attics are usually the last places to be cleaned out!

When and Why Should the Attic Be Cleaned?

• Wheno Spring or Fall, when it is not too cold or too

hot.

• Whyo Items left to accumulate for long periods of

time are forgotten or ignored and the space becomes unmanageable.

RULE OF 5!

• Attics should be cleaned at least every 5 years!

• If you have not: Seen, thought about, or needed an item for 5 years it should not be in the attic.

What Treasures Will You Find?

• Old clothing – Now Referred to as Vintage!

• Old Books and Holiday Decorations

• Bridal Gowns, Brides Maid and Prom Dresses

• Military Uniforms & Memorabilia

• Photographs, movies, and slides

• Old furniture, children toys and clothing

• Old Trunks filled with relics from previous generations

How about what you can do with each of these things•Consignment shop or Good Will/Salvation army•Who to see about valuing the items•Consider what to keep for the family/make them take•eBay•…

How To Begin?

• Schedule an appointment – be specific and keep it! You may need 3-4 appointments over a few weeks!

• Gather supplies, materials, and line up help if you think it will be necessary.

Where Do You Begin?

• Visualize the attic in sections – 4, 6 or 8 – it really does not matter. Sometimes smaller is easier.

• Pick a section and work that one section until you finish.

Categorize the Items Found

Section Off Areas and Make Signs (different color paper) to put items in designated area.

• Check with family and friends

• Donated to charity

• Determine if item has Value.

• Absolutely trash

Specifically how, or perhaps have an itemized checklist to give them

Sources for Recycling Treasures

• Clothing & Furniture o Big Brother Big

Sister; Homeless Veterans; Goodwill, etc.

• Consignment Shops• Books –

o Used Book Shopso Charity Bins for used

books

• Items of Questionable Valueo Personal Property

appraisers o Antique Dealers

• Photographs o Professionals who

will scan originalso Professionals who

restore orginals

Thousands of Antiques or NOT!!

• Many wonderful items are in Attics all over the world

• Thousands of Antiques have come from many of these attics

Many were hidden away and rediscovered

Depends on quality, uniqueness, and scarcity of the item

Need to take care and concern doing this – you might have that one in a thousand antique

• Attic cleanouts are source of great Treasure Hunts, and agony to have to sort through valued treasures

• How to determine whether it’s an antique• Recommendations of who to contact• Pitfalls

If You Think It Is Antique What Do You Do?

• Look it over Determine condition

o Value is based on the condition

Dust it offo Do not use furniture polish!

Take a photo of the pieceo Take measurements

o E-mail photo and measurements to antique dealer

What To Do Now?

• Call auctioneers, consignment shops, etc. to go through all piles to determine if items of value – even trash and charities:

Photo’s of different pieces emailed will determine their interest and if interested they will take the time to come and inspect.

If there is anything of value to be sold –make arrangements to have the item taken away immediately

• THEN Set up time for family and friends to come

Once they determine what they want – they take it away immediately or by a specific date

• Arrange pick up for donations.

Great opportunity for specific handout here that you can show!

How To . . .

• Find a professional appraiser.

American Society of Appraisers – www.appraisers.org

Ask and Answer these questions

o Are you getting appraisal for curiosity or are you planning on selling the item?

o Is this something other family members need to agree on, or can you make the decision yourself?

o If items have little or not value (other than sentimental) what are you going to do with them?

How To . . .

• Each item for family should be numbered, families should come, mark the items they want, and indicate the date to be removed.

Each family member has tag with their name, they tag the item, and record the item on a master list. Items not removed by the final date will be donated to charity

• Send items for donation to charity

• Once all items are gone all that is left is trash ‒ items that no one wants and is totally unsalvageable! Hire a dumpster or trash person.

How Long Does It Take?

• Some say it takes too long!

Others will say it was worth every minute, because it gave them a chance to remember, reminisce, laugh, cry, mourn and finally to let go!

• However long it takes it is a process and one that is necessary to move out and move forward!

Special Offer!

• WITTZ END has a monthly newsletter

• If you sign up for newsletter today, I will send you:

1. List of who you need to notify when you move.

2. List of charities, consignment shops

3. List of antique shops and appraisers

This is where you reel them in with value-added handout, etc.

WITTZ END

Orchestrating and Coordinating Your Next Move!

Let us move you from Frazzled to Dazzled!

Claire LeSagewww.atwittzend.com

claire@atwittzend.com