Many people who wish to downsize to simplify their lives are often seeking the same houses first time home buyers want but mostly as it relates to budget, not style. Often the downsizers simply want a smaller, more condensed, easier to manage version of their larger home. Here are 10 things that they might want:
1. Fewer bedrooms, maybe just one bedroom with a guest bedroom.
2. A non-compromised primary suite bathroom and closets that feels scaled similarly to a much larger home.
3. Living space to entertain, including a dining room/area large enough to entertain larger family and friend gatherings for special occasions.
4. An uncompromised kitchen preferably with an eat-in breakfast area/banquette/counter. Maybe also a scullery for the messy stuff if the kitchen is open to living space.
5. Some outdoor space, but the kind that is not super-high maintenance.
6. A separate powder room.
7. Simplex living. Many older buyers want to avoid all stairs, maybe even a basement and live on one floor?
8. Shared services and staffing. Having staff is wonderful, but managing staff is often not. Staff that sits around waiting for something to do is wasteful.
9. Easy-to-use-and-operate-everything. No complex, high maintenance systems.
10. Graciousness, scale and volume of (fewer) rooms reminiscent of their prior "BIG" home.
Those downsizing in their 50's, 60's and 70's are often not slowing down. Many have saved an entire lifetime to make this moment their best ever. A huge home often does not fit into this dream and neither does a small, starter home with 5 bedrooms.
