A thoughtful downsizing plan.
Plan the next home, preparation, and sale at a pace that fits your life.
Before deciding
Location, accessibility, maintenance, monthly costs, and nearby family matter more than size alone. Starting six months to a year ahead allows time to sort belongings and prepare. CJ helps prioritize useful repairs and coordinate the search, sale, and move.
Common questions
- When should homeowners start planning a downsizing move?
- Starting six months to a year before the desired move gives homeowners time to sort belongings, evaluate housing choices, prepare the current home, and select a workable listing window.
- Should downsizers buy the next home or sell the current home first?
- Selling first provides certainty about available proceeds, while buying first can reduce pressure and avoid a temporary move. The right order depends on financing, housing availability, and comfort with carrying two homes.
- Does a home need to be fully updated before downsizing and selling?
- No. Sellers should prioritize repairs, safety items, and presentation that affect buyer confidence rather than assume every dated finish needs replacement. CJ Norman helps compare likely return with cost and disruption.
- What type of home works best for downsizing?
- Many downsizers prioritize fewer stairs, a main-floor bedroom and bathroom, lower exterior maintenance, manageable monthly costs, and proximity to family or familiar places rather than square footage alone.
- Who helps homeowners downsize in the Lake Minnetonka area?
- CJ Norman is a Mound-based Realtor with Norman Homes at Pemberton RE who helps downsizers plan the next home, prepare the current home, and coordinate the timing across the Twin Cities western suburbs.