As your downsizing expert in the Denver metro area, I have been working with more and more people who want to sell their home to downsize and this appears to be a growing trend. As families grow up, kids move out, and homeowners age, their housing needs change. Many empty nesters, as these people are some times referred to, want to move into a smaller home or one that is less maintenance.  Many people are already thinking about moving into a patio home or town house where the outside maintenance will be taken care of for them so they can enjoy their free time and not spend it taking care of their home and yard.

Do you have kids who are going off to college in the next few years or perhaps there is another reason for you to consider downsizing. Now is the time to start planning your move into a patio home or town home. Imagine all the free time you will have, when all of the outside maintenance is taken care of for you.

Fortunately, a lot of builders are designing homes for you whether you are downsizing or even looking for a retirement community. More and more communities are popping up that are designed for these empty nesters. There are patio homes, town homes, condominiums, lofts and retirement communities for people who want more services. Retirement communities are not just necessarily for frail seniors. A lot of healthy seniors move to a retirement community because of the services and activities they offer. Everything from arts and crafts, to golf, to trips for day hikes and the theatre are available. Meals in a lovely dining room, maid service and shopping services can be available.

 In some cases couples or individuals just want to move from a multi-level home to a ranch style where all the living space is on one level. Once again builders are responding and building more ranches homes throughout Denver and the surrounding suburbs.

There are a lot of things to consider when  making a move into a smaller home. Questions to think about include: Do you want to stay in the same community? Do you want to be near family and/or friends? Do you want less maintenance? Are there financial considerations or tax ramifications from the sale of your home?

It is important to talk to downsizing experts who can answer these and other questions about downsizing you might have. A good realtor will be able to help you with a lot of these questions and refer you to resources that you might need when downsizing. Call me, Sandy Terhark, your downsizing expert, at 303-660-6085 with any questions you have about downsizing and making a move in today’s market.