Is It Time to Downsize? Ask Yourself These 4 Questions First

When is the right time to “rightsize” to a home that’s better suited to your needs? Well, if you’re in the 60+ crowd (or have a parent in that demo), there are plenty of things that can go into that decision. Maybe you’re finding yourself in a (more or less) empty nest. Maybe you want to (finally!) get serious about retirement planning. Maybe all that maintenance on your current home is more than you can or want to handle. Or, heck, maybe you just want to simplify your life.
Whatever the scenario, you’ll find that you have plenty of company. The U.S. Census Bureau’s population projections forecast that the number of Americans aged 65 and older will more than double by 2030, increasing from 35 million in 2010 to an estimated 72 million.
Of course, getting older doesn’t mean you have to slow down or compromise on the lifestyle you want. It just means you have to make informed, calculated decisions on how best to achieve it. And that’s especially true when it comes to homeownership.
So if you’re thinking about downsizing, ask yourself these questions first:

Q: What kind of lifestyle do I want after I downsize?

For some folks, it’s a matter of living a simpler life focused on family. Some might want to cross off travel destinations on their bucket lists. Some might want a low-maintenance community with high-end upgrades and social events. Decide what you want to achieve from your move first, and you’ll be able to better narrow down your housing options.
Alex Haigh, a Realtor® with Illustrated Properties in Stuart, FL, says most folks come to South Florida for the warmer weather and amenities, and he’s seeing more seniors who are still working—because they enjoy it or want to have an extra cushion in their budgets.
Debra Whitfield, a Realtor in Charleston, SC, who specializes in working with seniors, sees her older clients making two types of moves.
“The first move are retirees looking to enjoy their freedom, so they come down to Charleston to find active adult communities where they meet like-minded people that they can befriend easily,” Whitfield says. “The second comes after retirees have enjoyed their freedom for 10 years or so and they decide to move one last time to live closer to family to have the physical, emotional, and spiritual support they need.”

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Q: What should my buying budget look like? 

If you’re planning to retire soon or have already entered those coveted golden years, you’ll likely be on a fixed income. Downsizing might net you a decent profit, especially if the home you’re buying next costs considerably less than the one you’re selling. Consider other expenses as you age: medical bills, health and life insurance, travel, estate planning, final expenses, and home maintenance. The common rule of thumb: Spend no more than 30% of your monthly income on housing. But in theory, it should be a lot less if you’re downsizing.






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The Easterbrook Team with Sierra Pacific Mortgage
806 Bidwell Street
Folsom, CA 95630


John Easterbrook NMLS#226555
916-224-7653
easterbrookteam@spmc.com


Patty Aguon NMLS#994635
916-833-5063
easterbrookteam@spmc.com