Senior moves and downsizing in Washoe Valley

Washoe Valley is a farther community from the Sparks warehouse, and it has large homes: 6.4 rooms at the median, 86.1 percent single-family detached and a median home value of $609,700. About 93 percent are owner-occupied and the median age is 59.3. With a median build year of 1979 and 53 percent built before 1980, these are houses with a long history.

The longest drive, a full-day plan

At 31 minutes from Glendale Ave by US 395 Alt and I-580, a Washoe Valley job is a day-long plan. The crew arrives early and loads, and the pieces headed for the warehouse are planned into the same day. The estimator explains the order of stops.

Houses on land

Elevation here is about 5,098 feet, and many homes have land, barns or large garages. Walk the property with the estimator and point out anything bulky: tools, a workbench, a lawn tractor, a stack of lumber. Heavy items are itemized, and fuel and chemicals follow the rules in the guide on what movers will not move.

Downsizing from six rooms

A household moving from a six-room house into a two-bedroom place will keep fewer than half its furniture. Measure the new rooms and mark the furniture that fits. The guide to downsizing for seniors and estate and downsizing storage explain how to handle the rest.

Storage for the family pieces

Dining sets, bedroom suites and family pieces can wait in wooden vaults, 7 ft x 7 ft x 5 ft, while the family decides. Vault storage starts from $40 per month. Read long-term storage tips to see how to prepare furniture for a longer stay.

What to bring up at the visit

Mention the road to the house, any gates, a long driveway, the stairs and anything the crew will carry by hand across land. The more the estimator sees, the more exact the estimate. Ask about the pace of the day too, since a longer drive gives families time to be at the new home when the truck arrives.