Downsizing

Planning a Downsize Without the Overwhelm

Downsizing explained, step by step, without rushing or guessing.

Help Me Plan My Downsize

Moving to a smaller home

Downsizing

Moving to a smaller home can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Many London-area homeowners are finding that larger homes now demand more time, money and upkeep than they want. Downsizing into a more manageable space creates room for what matters most — health, freedom and community.

Whether you’re staying in London or moving to Exeter, Thorndale, Komoka, Lucan or any nearby town, our downsizing process removes the stress of sorting, planning and moving. We help you move forward confidently into your next chapter.

Watch the plan in 90 seconds

See the journey from first sort to keys.

Help Me Plan My Downsize

Benefits

Benefits of downsizing

  • Less upkeep so you have more time and energy for the things you enjoy.
  • A home that feels easier to live in day to day from layout to flow.
  • Lower carrying costs and the flexibility to use your equity with intention.
  • A space that matches the way you live now without the areas you no longer need.
  • Better everyday convenience whether that means walkability, family proximity or a closer sense of community.
Help Me Plan My Downsize

Step-by-step

Downsizing roadmap

A simple plan that helps you move at your own pace and feel in control of the process.

Title

01


Shift Your Mindset

Start by focusing on what you want life to look like next. Clear goals make each decision easier as you move through the process.

02


Plan Your Timeline

Most people start thinking about downsizing long before they are ready to move. Downsizing timelines vary widely. Some clients move within months while others plan a year or more ahead. We help you understand what each stage looks like and build a timeline that fits your life, not the other way around.

03


Declutter Room by Room

Decluttering or downsizing your belongings is often the most emotional part of this move. We help you break the process into clear stages so it feels manageable rather than overwhelming. Many people find it easier to work one area at a time, one room at a time, as they decide what to keep, donate or recycle.

04


Measure Your New Space

It is common to feel unsure about what will fit in your next home, and many people think they need to make those decisions early. You don’t. The clearest decisions come once you know the layout and room sizes of the place you’re moving to. With a floor plan or basic measurements in hand, you can decide for yourself what makes sense to bring and what no longer fits your lifestyle without guessing or letting go of something you may still need.

05


Donate or Sell Items

As you get closer to moving, you’ll have a clearer sense of what you want to bring with you. Many people choose to donate, sell or recycle items they no longer need. There is no right or wrong pace, you make those decisions when you’re ready. Our role is simply to help keep the overall process moving without pressure.

06


Organize Your Move

Once your sale and purchase are in place, the move itself starts to take shape. We help you understand the timing, what to expect in the final weeks and how to stay ahead of anything that could slow you down. You handle the packing and moving arrangements. We keep the real estate side organized and make sure you always know what comes next.

07


Settle In and Celebrate

The first few weeks in your new place are about adjusting and finding your rhythm. Every downsizing move feels different at this stage. Some people settle in quickly while others take time to ease into new routines and spaces. We stay available for questions that come up after closing and support you as you get comfortable in your new home and community.

Living in London, Ontario

  • Most errands, appointments and services are close by.Most errands, appointments and services are close by.
  • Shorter daily driving for work, school and activities.Shorter daily driving for work, school and activities.
  • More choice when it comes to schools, programs and amenities.More choice when it comes to schools, programs and amenities.
  • Daily routines are easier to handle without much planning.Daily routines are easier to handle without much planning.
  • Heavier traffic, especially at peak times.Heavier traffic, especially at peak times.
  • Smaller lots and closer neighbours in many areas.Smaller lots and closer neighbours in many areas.
  • More noise and activity depending on the neighbourhood.More noise and activity depending on the neighbourhood.
  • Competition for certain homes can be higher.Competition for certain homes can be higher.

Living in Small Towns

  • Quieter streets and less day-to-day congestion.Quieter streets and less day-to-day congestion.
  • More space between homes and larger properties are more common.More space between homes and larger properties are more common.
  • Slower pace that appeals to people who value privacy and calm.Slower pace that appeals to people who value privacy and calm.
  • Many towns have a strong sense of local community.Many towns have a strong sense of local community.
  • Longer drives for shopping, appointments and services,Longer drives for shopping, appointments and services,
  • Fewer nearby options for dining and retail.Fewer nearby options for dining and retail.
  • Limited or no public transit.Limited or no public transit.
  • Some areas require more planning around internet and utilities.Some areas require more planning around internet and utilities.

Reviews

Success Stories

"Decluttering felt impossible. Their step by step plan helped us donate sell and move without stress. We love our new condo in Exeter."
"We did not know where to start. Angela and Shawn’s roadmap made it simple and we found the right bungalow in Thorndale."
Help Me Plan My Downsize

We guide downsizers across London and the surrounding communities of Exeter Thorndale Komoka and Lucan.

From the blog

Downsizing Resource Hub

Short reads that solve real problems you face during a downsize.

See all downsizing articles

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

When people in the greater London area start thinking about downsizing, the same questions come up again and again. These answers give you a clear sense of the timing and preparation involved.

Most people start thinking about downsizing long before they are ready to move. A helpful first step is getting clear on your goals, your must-haves and your timing. From there, we can walk you through what each stage typically looks like so you can plan at a pace that fits your life.

Not usually. Most successful downsizing moves focus on thoughtful preparation, not major renovations. In our market, simple improvements — decluttering, small repairs, fresh paint and good staging — often make a bigger impact than large projects. We’ll walk through your home with you and help you decide what is worth doing and what is not, based on your goals and the likely return.

Most people downsizing are juggling two moves at once, and the timing can feel stressful. We help you map out the order that makes the most sense for your situation — whether that means buying first, selling first or preparing both steps in tandem. We look at your financing, your comfort level and the pace of the markets on both ends so you can move with clarity and a plan that fits your needs.

Feeling attached to your belongings is completely normal — most people find this part harder than anything else. We help you break the process into manageable stages so it doesn’t feel rushed or stressful. Taking things one area at a time gives you space to decide what matters most and what you’re ready to let go of at your own pace.

That is one of the most common parts of downsizing. Many people know they want a simpler home but are not sure which community will fit best. We help you compare options across London and the nearby small towns by looking at your lifestyle, budget and day to day needs. Once a few areas rise to the top, we focus your search so you are only seeing locations that make sense for your next chapter.

There is no single right order. The best approach depends on your financing, your comfort level and how quickly homes are moving in your price range. We walk you through both options early so you understand the risks and benefits of each. Once the plan is clear, we set the timing so your sale and purchase work smoothly together without unnecessary overlap or pressure.

It’s very common for adult children to guide a parent through this move, and it can feel emotional and complicated for everyone involved. We help you understand the timing, the steps and what to expect so you are not carrying the process alone. Whether you live nearby or are supporting from a distance, we keep communication clear and steady so your parent feels respected and supported and you feel confident about each decision along the way.

That is completely normal. Many people spend time gathering information before they feel ready to take action. We can walk you through the areas that fit your lifestyle, show you what homes typically cost and answer your early questions so you can move forward at your own pace. There is no pressure to make decisions before you are ready.

Costs vary depending on where you move, how much preparation your current home needs and the type of property you are buying next. We walk you through the likely costs early — including staging, realtor fees, legal fees and moving expenses — so you can plan with a clear picture and avoid surprises.

Most people tell us upfront how much time they want between selling and moving, if any, so we plan your listing strategy with that in mind. If your home sells quickly, we look at your closing date options and the pace of the market for the type of home you want next. In most cases we can time both steps so everything stays aligned and the move feels smooth and predictable.

People usually start thinking about downsizing when the house feels like more than they want to look after or no longer fits their day to day life. If you are unsure whether now is the right time, we can walk through what a move would involve, what your options are and what the timing could look like. The goal is to give you a clear picture so you can decide what makes sense.

Planning Your Next Step

If you’re starting to think about downsizing but aren’t sure where to begin, this is a good place to ask questions and talk through the process.