needs. But, if you happen to spot your new dream home, even if it’s not for sale, it never hurts to ask! The main point here is that every buyer’s home-search process is different in the downsizing process. What happens, or what works out for one buyer, won’t necessarily turn out to be the same for another. Don’t feel pressure because of something that worked out for someone you know. Purchasing a new home, whether it’s a smaller house, a townhouse, a condo, or an apartment, is a big decision, and could very well be the last real estate purchase you make if you decide not to transition into community living. So don’t take the decision lightly, don’t settle for something that isn’t quite right, don’t make a hasty decision because you feel pressure or because you’re just tired of looking and waiting, and definitely don’t choose a new dwelling that you aren’t 100% comfortable with or sure about.
So, then, where do you start?
FIRST, MAKE A LIST
So, you have imagined your ideal new home for enjoying the next stage of your life — your relaxing, leisurely golden years — but what you hope your new home will look like and what features it will have will become much clearer if you actually take the time to put pen to paper (or type out a document on a computer if that’s an option for you) to make a complete checklist of both your needs and your wants. When making a list, it’s generally a good idea to be organized. I recommend starting from the “outside in,” meaning you should consider location first. Location can be need or want. If your motivation to move and downsize is to be closer to your family (whether that’s siblings or adult children with your grandchildren), then location is more of a need than a want. If you already live in the same city as family, then location is
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