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. Canadian population projections forecast that the number of Canadians aged 65 and older will more than double by 2030.
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.
There are two types of moves.
“The first move are retirees looking to enjoy their freedom, so they find active adult communities where they meet like-minded people that they can befriend easily. “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.”
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.
Q: Have I built up enough equity in my current home to make a profit?
For most homeowners, the answer is yes. This is if they’ve held on to their properties long enough to have positive equity that will be sizable enough to put a large down payment on their next home. Unless you have a significant amount of debt to pay off, chances are you’ll see enough profit from your sale to buy your next home outright or bring a sizable down payment on closing day.
Most downsizing buyers have a winning hand in bidding wars since they walked away with a profit on the sale of their old home. They have the funds and solid credit history to pay all cash or provide a large down payment.
Q: Will I be able to find another home that’s affordable in a seller’s market?
OK, this is where things might get tricky. In some fast-paced markets (such as Toronto or Vancouver) where soaring home prices show no signs of letting up, you might have a tougher time. However, you should be in a better bargaining position than first-time home buyers.
I'd advise sellers who have the financial means to buy their next home first before selling their current one. Take out either a line of credit on their current home or a home equity conversion mortgage to finance their purchase, then pay off the loan when they sell their former home.
Contact me about getting started on the next chapte of your life.
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