A practical guide to aging in place, rightsizing and downsizing for seniors in Waterloo Region and Wellington County.

I have a lot of conversations with people in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph who are getting older and starting to wonder what they should do with their home.

Sometimes their kids are encouraging them to move. Sometimes the house is becoming too much work. There may be too many stairs, too much property to maintain, or they’re living alone in a house that was once full of people.

And sometimes they’re simply thinking ahead.

One thing I’ve learned as a Realtor is that selling isn’t always the answer.

When someone calls me about this, I don’t think the first conversation should be about listing their house. I think it should be about figuring out what they actually need and what is making the idea of moving feel so difficult.

Usually, it isn’t just one thing.

1. “I Don’t Want to Leave My Home”

This is probably the biggest one.

When you’ve lived somewhere for many years, it’s not just a house. It’s where you raised your family. You know the neighbours. You know where everything is. There are memories attached to practically every room.

I completely understand why someone might know, logically, that a smaller home would be easier and still not be ready to leave.

And maybe you don’t have to.

Aging in place can be a very good option for some homeowners. Could we make the house more accessible? Could you live mainly on one floor? Would some renovations make things easier?

Could the basement become a separate suite? Is there room for an accessory dwelling unit where a family member could live? Could part of the property generate some income to help with expenses?

I’m a pretty resourceful person by nature, and this is where I think that becomes really valuable in real estate. I like looking at the house, the finances and the person’s situation and asking:

“What could we do here?”

It doesn’t always have to be sell the house and move.

2. “I Wouldn’t Even Know Where to Start With All My Stuff”

I hear this all the time.

A house can hold decades of belongings. Furniture, dishes, photographs, children’s things, tools, paperwork, collections and boxes that haven’t been opened in years.

Just thinking about sorting through it can make moving seem impossible.

But you don’t have to tackle the entire house by yourself before calling a Realtor.

Sometimes we need an organizer. Sometimes we need someone to help with an estate sale, donations, junk removal or moving. Sometimes family can help. And sometimes we simply take it room by room. We have great resources to assist to help solve these challenges. 

The belongings shouldn’t be the reason someone stays in a home that no longer works for them.

Part of my job is knowing how to find the people and resources that can make the process manageable.

3. “If I Sell My House, Where Will I Go?”

This is a big one, and it’s a very reasonable question, especially when you’re considering downsizing or rightsizing in Waterloo Region.

Selling your house is one thing. Finding somewhere you actually want to live is another.

Maybe you want a bungalow. Possibly you decide it is time to sell your property and just rent. Maybe you’re considering a condo but aren’t sure you’ll like condo living. Maybe you want to be closer to your children or grandchildren. Or perhaps you’ve thought about retirement living but don’t really know what the options or costs are.

I don’t think anyone should feel pressured to sell their home first and figure the rest out later.

Sometimes the best thing we can do is start looking.

Let’s see what’s available in your desired location. Let’s look at prices. Let’s visit some places. Let’s figure out what you like and, equally important, what you don’t like.

There is a huge difference between feeling like you’re being forced out of your home and getting excited about where you’re going next.

4. “Can I Actually Afford to Stay, do I need to Move?”

This may be the most important practical question when deciding whether to stay, sell, or downsize.

People sometimes assume that because their house has gone up considerably in value, moving will automatically leave them with a lot of extra money.

Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t. Moving from a 2-story house with a double car garage to a bungalow with a single car garage may actually be a lateral move despite the size difference. I have had many conversations about this, and it is always a bit unsettling to the downsizers during these tough conversations. 

We need to look at the whole picture.

What would your home realistically sell for in today’s Waterloo Region and Wellington County real estate market? What would the kind of home you want to move into cost? What are the moving expenses? Condo fees? Property taxes? Renovations? Land transfer tax? What will your monthly expenses look like afterward?

And perhaps most importantly:

How much money will actually be left in your pocket after the move?

If you decide to stay, you may look into a reverse mortgage to help offset the costs of retrofitting your home to be more accessible. 

For someone who has owned a home for decades, there can be substantial equity there. That equity might make retirement easier, help family, allow for more travel, or simply provide some financial breathing room.

But these are decisions that deserve real numbers, not guesses.

I don’t try to be everything to everybody either. If we need an accountant, lawyer, financial advisor, mortgage professional or another specialist involved, I’ll help bring the right people into the conversation.

Downsizing Isn’t Always About Having Less

There are times when maintaining the family home is not feasible anymore.  Maybe you’re done cutting the grass and shovelling snow. Maybe you’re tired of heating and maintaining rooms you barely use. Maybe you’d love to travel and be able to lock the door without worrying about the house.

Or maybe you simply want to be closer to the people you love.

That’s why I prefer the word rightsizing rather than downsizing.

The goal isn’t necessarily to have less. It’s to have a home that works better for the life you want now.

You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

I’ve sold hundreds of properties, so my team and I know how to prepare a home, market it, and negotiate a sale.

But with a move like this, the real estate transaction is sometimes the easiest part.

It’s everything surrounding it that can feel overwhelming.

Where will I go? What do I do with everything? Can I afford it? Am I really ready to leave?

Those are the conversations I think we should be having before the sign goes on the lawn.

My approach is to help with the whole problem, not just sell the house.

You don’t need to know the answer before you call me.

We can sit down, talk about what’s becoming difficult, what you’re worried about, and what you’d really like the next chapter of your life to look like.

Then we figure out what’s possible.

Helen Fidler-Bos
RE/MAX brokerage, Waterloo Region Service Area