Ready to downsize?

January 20, 2023

by Bridget Blonde

REALTOR®

Nest Realty Inc. Brokerage

There are so many things to consider when you make this big move. Read on for what I think are important things to think about during this transition!

1. How long do you plan to stay in your next house? Is this going to be your last stop or temporary? When you decide if you need to be able to age in this house, it will change the decisions you make about the type of house you buy.

2. What type of house do you want? Do you want a two-storey or all on one level? This is a concern if you have mobility issues or plan to stay well into your aging. What about storage? This is often a big concern for downsizers who have trouble getting rid of enough stuff. Can the storage be in the basement or should it all be on the main floor? I definitely recommend that homeowners who want to age in their home not buy a home with the furnace in a crawl space - this becomes very hard to access as you get older.

3. Location. Do you want/need to be close to family? Do you need to live close to grandkids to help out? What about friends, shops and restaurants? And, for all of these things, are they driving distance from the new house? Or do you want to be able to get to the things you need by walking or a bus in case you have to give up your driver's license?

4. Yard size. The bigger the yard, the more the work! If you want a big yard, will you be able to hire yard maintenance if you can't manage it? Do you want space for elaborate gardens or would you rather have smaller, low-maintenance gardens? Who will maintain the gardens?

5. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the house. Do you want separate guest quarters? or maybe no guest quarters at all! Have you considered having a home with two separate primary bedrooms, both with their own bathrooms? This is often something people have to go to eventually due to health and sleep needs.

There are so many different things to consider. This is a very big move and downsizing is a very big and sometimes difficult decision. Take your time and don't rush your decisions.