5 Signs It’s Time to Downsize Your Home

Last Updated on September 4, 2025 by Patricia Omishakin

Have you been wondering whether it’s time to make a change? Maybe your house feels a little too quiet… or a little too large. If you’ve ever thought, “Do I really need all this space anymore?” … you’re not alone.

I’m Patricia Omishakin, a local REALTOR® based in Smyrna, TN. I specialize in helping 55+ adults navigate life transitions, and today I’m sharing five signs it might be time to downsize your home plus how doing so could give you more freedom, ease, and even cash in your pocket.

1. You Have Too Much Space

Your home no longer matches your day-to-day lifestyle

When your family was growing, it made perfect sense to buy that two-story home with a finished basement and four bedrooms. Every corner of the house was filled with life. But now? The kids are grown, the guest rooms are rarely used, and entire areas of the house stay untouched for months.

You’re still paying to heat, cool, clean, and maintain those unused rooms. For what?

According to a 2024 report by AARP, more than 40% of Americans aged 55+ live in homes larger than they currently need, and many feel overwhelmed by upkeep and underwhelmed by how often they use the space.

If you’re spending more time dusting than living, it may be time to consider a home that better fits the season you’re in.

2. The Maintenance Is Wearing You Down

More home often means more hassle

When’s the last time you enjoyed your weekend without a list of chores?

• Mowing the lawn
• Cleaning the gutters
• Shoveling snow
• Coordinating repairs

If you’re like many of my clients, you’re starting to feel the time, energy, and money it takes to maintain a home of this size. And it adds up: A study by HomeAdvisor estimates that the average annual cost of home maintenance is $4,886—and that doesn’t include major repairs like a new roof or HVAC system.

What would your life look like if you had fewer things demanding your time and energy?

What would you do with that $15,000–$20,000 if it wasn’t going to home upkeep this year?

Right-sizing into a smaller, more efficient home can reduce your to-do list and give you your weekends (and your sanity) back.

3. Your Health or Lifestyle Is Changing

What served you before might now be holding you back

When you first bought your home, it likely fit your energy level and lifestyle. You could fly up the stairs, crawl into the attic, or get on your hands and knees in the garden. But now? Things might be shifting.

Whether it’s joint pain, reduced mobility, or just plain fatigue, the truth is that big homes can be physically demanding.

You may not need a wheelchair-accessible home today, but a single-level layout with wider doorways, step-free entries, or walk-in showers could be a smart move to “age in place” gracefully.

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), over 70% of future buyers over 55 say they want their next home to be single-story and lower maintenance.

Downsizing doesn’t just save space. It protects your quality of life—and lets you focus on what brings you joy instead of what wears you down.

4. Your Finances Are Telling You It’s Time

Downsizing your home can mean upsizing your financial freedom

If you’re approaching or already in retirement, you might be looking at ways to stretch your income and reduce monthly expenses.

A smaller home often means:

• Lower mortgage payments (or no mortgage at all)
• Reduced property taxes and insurance
• Decreased utility and maintenance costs

According to Bankrate, retirees who downsize can cut their monthly expenses by up to 30%, depending on location and home size. That’s a meaningful difference when you’re on a fixed income.

Instead of letting your house eat into your retirement fund, downsize your home and redirect that money toward travel, family, hobbies, or giving.

5. You’re Sitting on Untapped Equity

Don’t let your home’s value go to waste

Have you checked the value of your home lately?

If it’s been 10, 15, or 20+ years since you bought, you might be sitting on hundreds of thousands of dollars in equity.

👉 Want to know how much your home is worth today? Use this free tool to get your instant home value estimate.

It takes less than a minute and gives you insight into how your equity could be working for you.

According to ATTOM Data Solutions, the average homeowner who has owned their property for 20+ years has built up over $300,000 in home equity.

You could:

• Use your equity to buy your next home in cash
• Travel the world
• Support loved ones
• Or simply put money in the bank and breathe easier

Don’t assume you’re “stuck” where you are. Downsizing could unlock possibilities you haven’t even considered.

Is It Time for You to Downsize Your Home?

What once made sense might not anymore and that’s okay

Life changes. Your home should, too. If you see yourself in any of these signs—too much space, too much stress, changing health, or the desire for more financial freedom …it may be time to downsize your home.

But you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Let’s Explore Your Options Together

Hi, I’m Patricia Omishakin with Elam Real Estate.

I help 55+ homeowners in Middle Tennessee right-size their homes with clarity, ease, and heart.

Here’s what working together looks like:

✅ We’ll talk about your goals

✅ I’ll help you understand your home’s value and equity

✅ We’ll look at homes that fit your lifestyle and budget

✅ You’ll get step-by-step support so the process never feels overwhelming

📞 Call or text me at 615-730-0037

💻 Visit SellWithPat.com/55plus to download my free Downsizing Roadmap

🧾 Or ask me for a custom market report tailored to your home

You’ve done the big house.

You’ve done the busy years.

Now it’s your time. Let’s find a home that fits your next chapter 💚

Is your home too big, too expensive, or too much to manage? Discover 5 clear signs it’s time to downsize your home and simplify your lifestyle.