Thinking About Rightsizing? Start Here.

If you’re a 55+ homeowner considering a move, this may be the most important question you can ask yourself—not “What is my home worth?” or “Where would I go?” but “Why would I move at all?”

Many people skip this step. They jump straight into market value, listings, or floor plans before they’ve explored the deeper, more personal decision underneath it all. And yet, clarity on the why is what makes the difference between a move that feels unsettling—and one that feels deeply right.

Making the right decision to move requires both logic and emotion. If we were sitting together today, I’d suggest starting with a few reflective, low-pressure steps designed to bring clarity—without urgency or overwhelm.

1. Conduct a “Living Audit”

Before you look at real estate listings, take a closer look at how you actually live in your current home.

For one week, simply notice which rooms you use—and which ones you don’t.

The insight:
Many homeowners at this stage discover they’re actively living in just 20–30% of their square footage, while heating, cleaning, insuring, and maintaining 100% of it.

The reflection:
Does the unused space feel like a comforting backdrop to your life… or does it feel like a quiet responsibility you’re carrying forward out of habit?

There’s no right or wrong answer—only an honest one.

2. Define Your Five-Year Vision (Not Your Next Address)

Rather than focusing on the move, focus on the life you want to be living.

Ask yourself:
Five years from now (or even 2 years from now), what does an ordinary Tuesday morning look like?

• Are you walking to a local café or trail?

• Are you closer to family—or travelling more freely?

• Are you less concerned about stairs, snow shovelling, or unexpected repairs?

The decision point:
If your current home makes that future lifestyle harder to achieve—or comes with growing stress attached to it—rightsizing may be a thoughtful, strategic choice rather than a reactive one.

3. Separate the “Stuff” From the “Space”

For many homeowners, the heaviness around moving isn’t about leaving the house—it’s about the volume of belongings accumulated over a lifetime.

A simple experiment:
Choose one room or one category and do a small “trial declutter.”

As you go, notice this:

Is the resistance about the items themselves… or about the effort and emotion tied to sorting through them?

Often, once people realize that memories move with you—furniture does not, the decision-making process becomes noticeably lighter and clearer.

4. Compare “Staying” vs. “Going” — Honestly

Sometimes clarity lives in the numbers—but not in the way people expect.

Rather than only asking “What could I buy?”, take time to calculate the true cost of staying:

• Property taxes

• Utilities

• Insurance

• Ongoing maintenance and upcoming repairs

Then compare that to what it might feel like to have more equity working for you—rather than tied up in space you no longer use.

The real question:
Is the cost of staying aligned with the value and enjoyment you’re receiving in return?

5. Explore—Without Commitment

One of the most powerful (and underused) steps is simply exploring what’s possible—without pressure.

Visit different types of homes. Walk neighbourhoods. Attend an open house with no intention of buying.

If you are curious about what various neighbourhoods or 55+ communities feel like, we have a Curated List of 55+ Communities that we can send to you - just reach out and let us know.

What often happens:
Seeing a space that feels “just right” can quietly shift the narrative from “I’m giving something up” to “I’m choosing something that fits who I am now.”

That emotional shift matters.

A Gentle, Supportive Next Step

The best way to know whether rightsizing is the right move isn’t by rushing into a listing—it’s by having a conversation that prioritizes clarity over contracts.

If it’s helpful, we can provide a Decision-Maker’s Worksheet—a simple, private guide designed to help you weigh lifestyle, financial, and emotional factors at your own pace, before taking any formal steps. Reply to this newsletter to request the worksheet.

Because the right move isn’t about timing the market—it’s about making one of your better moves by choosing a home that supports the life you want to live next.

— The Procenko Group

One of your better moves.