Title: Home Downsizing in Four Easy Steps

Author: Michael Ivankovich

Edition: First Edition, Copyright © 2009, Michael Ivankovich

Library of Congress Catalog Number: 2008910253

ISBN: 978-0615-23261-4

Bar Code: Yes

Size: 8.25x11". 172 Pages. 24 Chapters.

Publisher: Michael Ivankovich, Doylestown, PA

Design and Layout: Susan Ivankovich

Printed in the United States of America by Lightning Source

Related Web Sites:
· www.HomeDownsizingConsultants.com
· www.HomeDownsizing4EasySteps.com
· www.HomeDownsizingWorkshops.com
· www.michaelivankovich.com

eBook Cost: $14.95. eBooks can be ordered through any of the above Web Sites and are available for immediate download.

Paperback Cost: $25.90 ($19.95 plus $5.95 Priority Mail Postage & Insurance). Perfect-bound paperback books can be ordered through any of the above Web Sites, by calling the author at (215)-345-6094, through Amazon Books, or through select book stores.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author and the publisher.

Home Downsizing in Four Easy Steps is the most complete book ever published on the subject of how to downsize your home. Authored by Michael Ivankovich, The Home Downsizing Consultant, this book uses the 4-step AVID Home Downsizing System™ to help people through the entire home downsizing process.

The first 4 chapters cover how to analyze your individual downsizing situation. Before doing anything you must first understand what you want to accomplish, and in these chapters Mr. Ivankovich presents 20 important questions that each individual must answer before proceeding any further in the downsizing process.

Chapters 5-6-7 cover how you can learn what your personal property assets may be worth in today's rapidly changing market. You should never sell a thing before you understand its value, and this section will help to prevent you from making any major selling mistakes.

The next 10 chapters cover how and where you can sell or dispose of your excess and unwanted personal property for top dollar. Each option is covered in detail, and analyzes both the advantages and disadvantages that each option carries, to better help you decide which options may be best suited to your individual downsizing needs.

Once you understand what you are trying to accomplish, what its worth, and how and where to sell it, this book goes on to show you how to create an easy and workable Plan of Action to help you to complete the downsizing process.

When you have disposed of all that needs to be sold, this book walks you through the Packing and Moving processes, and how to finalize any Cleanout situations that you may be faced with.

And spread throughout the book are 250+ Home Downsizing Tips & Strategies designed to increase your sales revenue, lower your expenses, and make the overall job of downsizing a home easier for anyone who takes the time to read the book. All-in-all, this book does what the author has promised: It shows you how to downsize your home and sell off your excess personal property for the greatest amount of cash, with the least amount of work, in the shortest amount of time.

An Interview with Michael Ivankovich, Author
Home Downsizing in Four Easy Steps

Editor: Why did you write this book?

Author: As an Auctioneer I generally only sell at Auction one day per week. Throughout the rest of the week I visit people's homes and evaluate their personal property for possible sale at Auction. All too often I've seen people who had no idea what to do, or what they even had. And all too often before I arrived they had either sold their best merchandise for far below true market value, or thrown their hidden treasures away, not knowing what they had. So I guess you can say that I wrote this book to help people better understand the Home Downsizing process, and to help them get through what is potentially one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Editor: How will this book help those who are considering downsizing their home?

Author: Home Downsizing in Four Easy Steps leads readers through the entire Home Downsizing process. It provides them with an understanding of how the Home Downsizing process works. It shows them how to determine what their personal property and household assets may be worth in today's changing market. It provides them with an understanding of how, and where, to best dispose of any excess and unwanted personal property. And it helps them through the intricacies of packing, the complexity of a move, and the final cleanout of their homes.

Editor: How did you formulate the AVID Home Downsizing System?

Author: Although most people think that their situation is unique, most downsizing situations are surprisingly similar. The personalities and merchandise may vary, but the approach to Home Downsizing in most situations is fairly straight-forward. When reduced to its simplest form, there are only 4 simple steps that must be followed. You must…Analyze your individual downsizing situation… learn the Value of your personal property before doing anything else…after you know what you have, you must Investigate the best selling and disposition options that are available to you…and finally, you must Dispose of all of the items that you not longer want or need. If you follow this simple 4-step approach, you can downsize your home without too much difficulty.

Editor: Specifically, what does this book teach readers?

Author: Throughout its 172 pages and 24 chapters, Home Downsizing in Four Easy Steps covers such topics as:

• An introduction to the Home Downsizing process.
• 20 questions to ask yourself when planning a Home Downsizing.
• What's it worth? We'll introduce readers to 10 Free, and 6 Fee, valuation sources and services.
• How to locate any Hidden Treasures that might found in the typical home.
• We'll review 10 Selling and Disposition Options.
• We'll review how and where you can sell your personal property for top dollar.
• How and where to locate top prospects when selling privately.
• The Insider's Guide to Selling at Auction.
• Selling your personal property at the retail and wholesale levels.
• How to donate your major items for the maximum tax deduction.
• Where to donate your lesser items so they can help others in need.
• How to pack your property so it will arrive safely at your new home.
• How to deal with Moving Companies, and how to understand their jargon.
• How to locate and negotiate with a Cleanout Specialist (junk dealer).
• We'll cover more than 250 Home Downsizing Tips and Strategies which are designed to make Home Downsizing easier, while saving you money throughout the entire process.

Editor: Why should someone read this book?

Author: If you already understand the Home Downsizing process and what your personal property assets are worth in today's market, you may not need this book. But if you are not absolutely clear on how to downsize your home, if you don't understand the value of your personal property, if you don't know where to sell or dispose of your excess personal property, this book can save you valuable time and can prevent you from making some very expensive mistakes.

Editor: What does a Home Downsizing Consultant actually do.

Author: A Home Downsizing Consultant guides clients through the entire Home Downsizing process. More specifically, a Home Downsizing Consultant will:

• Lead clients through the downsizing process, either through private consultations and meetings, or by handling the entire process for them.
• Introduce clients to the 4-step AVID Home Downsizing System™ which will greatly simplify their lives.
• Perform an In-Home Personal Property Valuation of personal property and household items, explaining to clients what their items may be worth in today's market.
• Complete any USPAP-compliant Appraisals that may be requested.
• During the In-Home Valuation the Home Downsizing Consultant looks for any hidden treasures that may be worth significantly more than the client ever thought.
• If any hidden treasures are found, the Home Downsizing Consultant can sell them on eBay or the Internet, where clients can receive top dollar with national and international exposure for those treasures.
• Help clients set a Plan of Action, and help then to execute that Plan of Action in order to get the job done.
• Help clients determine how and where to best sell their personal property in today's uncertain market.
• Handle tasks such as packing and cleanouts that clients prefer not to handle themselves.
• Where appropriate, the Home Downsizing Consultant can negotiate on the client's behalf, either to obtain a higher selling price, or to reduce any selling or moving expenses.
• A Home Downsizing Consultant has a strong working knowledge of Auctions and Auctioneers, where to buy and sell specific commodities, knowledge of current market values, area non-profits, Antique Shops & Dealers, and all else associated with selling personal property.
• And for families who must close-up a home and who are not from the immediate area, the Home Downsizing Consultant can take the entire burden off their shoulders and handle it for them.

Editor: What is an In-Home Personal Property Valuation, and what are its benefits?

Author: This is where a personal property professional literally walks through your home, looking for hidden treasures, and providing you with ballpark estimates of what your personal property may be worth in today's market. This enables you to better understand what you have, and whether you have anything special and out of the ordinary, which will ultimately determine how you should proceed with the Home Downsizing process.

Editor: What skills does it take to be a successful Home Downsizing Consultant?

Author: Understanding the Home Downsizing process takes experience in many different areas. A Home Downsizing Consultant should have considerable experience in the Auction industry, Antiques, and Collectibles fields, and in handling Household Personal Property. They should understand selling in both the retail and wholesale sides of the business. They need to understand the Home Downsizing process and personal property values. They need knowledge of local, regional, and national Auctioneers, Moving Companies, Non-Profits, Cleanout Specialists, and other valuation areas such as automobiles, boats, RV's, etc.. And they need to be able to walk clients through the emotional undertaking of downsizing their home.

Editor: What differentiates your services from other Home Downsizing Consultants and Appraisers.

Author: Although there are many reasons, I'll give you four quick answers to this question:

Editor: What do the services of a Home Downsizing Consultant cost?

Author: The cost will vary with the amount and type of work you request, and the time that it takes to do it. A 60-minute In-Home Personal Property Walk-Through Valuation can be worth its weight in gold if it prevents you from giving away a single potentially valuable item at less than its fair market value.

Editor: Can you share just a few of the 250+ Home Downsizing Tips and Strategies in this book?

Author: This book covers more than 250 Home Downsizing Tips & Strategies, but just a few of my favorites are:

• Most houses have some valuable treasures hidden away in the attic, basement, or closets. Do you know what they are? Make sure that you find them before you either throw them away, or sell them for pennies on the dollar.
• A professional In-Home Walk-Through Personal Property Valuation should be done before you sell anything. Always.
• More often than not, "Condition" will be a more important determinant of value than "Rarity". The rarest items, if in poor condition, will often have little value, while those more common items, in excellent condition, will easily attract a buyer.
• Beware of "Flooding" the market with a larger collection of anything. It could cost you big money.
• A "Double Move", if planned properly, and save you major money when you are moving.

About the Author

Michael Ivankovich understands Home Downsizing. When not selling on Auction day, most of his time has been spent visiting people's homes, evaluating their Personal Property, and helping them to determine how best to dispose of that Personal Property. Over the past 35+ years he has gained considerable experience in all aspects of this business, working at various times as an:

Here are some additional facts about Mike that you may want to know:

• Author, Home Downsizing in Four Easy Steps.
• Graduate Personal Property Appraiser (1 of only 236 GPPA's in the U.S.).
• Master Personal Property Appraiser (1 of only 60 MPPA's in the U.S.).
• USPAP Certified Appraiser.
• Licensed and Bonded Auctioneer.
• Pennsylvania's 2004 Auctioneer of the Year
• Past President, Lehigh Valley Society of Auctioneers.
• Author 13+ Antiques & Collectibles Books.
• Contributing Advisor to Warman's, Schroeder's, Kovel's, Antique Trader, and most other national Price Guides.
• Columnist whose articles have appeared in trade papers nationwide.
• Professional Antiques Dealer 35+ years.
• Past President, Bucks County Antiques Dealers Association.

• Home Downsizing in Four Easy Steps (2009, Michael Ivankovich; also eBook)
• The Art of Cleaning and Protecting Hand-Colored Photographs (2008, eBook)
• The Art of Preserving and Conserving Hand-Colored Photographs (2008, eBook)
• The Art of Cleaning and Protecting Popular Early 20th c. Prints (2008, eBook)
• The Art of Preserving and Conserving Popular Early 20th c. Prints (2008, eBook)
• Early 20th c. Hand-Painted Photography (2005, Collector Books)
• Collectors Guide to Wallace Nutting Furniture (2004, Collector Books)
• Collectors Guide to Wallace Nutting Pictures (2001, 1997, Collector Books)
• Collectors Guide to Earth 20th Century American Prints (1998, Collector Books)
• The Price Guide to Wallace Nutting Pictures (1991, 1989, 1986, 1984, Diamond Press)
• The Guide to Wallace Nutting-Like Photographers of the Early 20th Century (1991, Diamond Press)
• The Guide to Wallace Nutting Furniture (1990, Diamond Press)
• The Alphabetical & Numerical Index to Wallace Nutting Pictures (1988, Diamond Press)

Through his Diamond Press subsidiary he has published three additional books in this field including:

• Wallace Nutting Expansible Catalog
• Wallace Nutting: The Great American Idea
• Wallace Nutting Windsors: Correct Windsor Furniture

In 2002 Michael partnered with Carol Gray and Doug Peters in the release of another book:

• The Hand-Painted Pictures of Charles Henry Sawyer.

And over the years he has contributed to several other books including:

• William Henry Chandler…The Chandler Way
• Official Price Guide to Antiques & Collectibles

In Michael's younger years nearly 20 years ago he authored the highly acclaimed book, The Strategy of Pitching Slow Pitch Softball, and also starred in a coaching video with the same title. Both have been recently re-released in electronic format and are available at: www.PitchingSlowPitchSoftball.com

And Mike can help you through your Home Downsizing process as well. He is available to help you with:

• In-Home Personal Property Walk-Through Valuations
• USPAP Appraisals
• Home Downsizing Consultations
• Packing and Cleanout Services
• Negotiations
• And pretty much anything else you may need in the Home Downsizing process.

You can contact his offices for further details at (215)-345-6094,
or visit his Web Site: www.HomeDownsizingConsultants.com

How to Order
Home Downsizing in 4 Easy Steps

To order a perfect-bound Paperback Book: Click the encrypted PayPal button below Or, call 215-345-6094...or email us. The cost is $25.90 ($19.95 + 5.95 Priority Mail shipping).

Favorite Links

• www.HomeDownsizingWorkshops.com
• www.HomeDownsizingConsultants.com
  
• www.wnutting.com
• www.michaelivankovich.com
• www.susanivankovich.com
  
• www.pitchingslowpitchsoftball.com