WITH GARY MACRAE · ETOBICOKE REAL ESTATE BROKER & REALTOR®.
I want to downsize from my Toronto home. Where do I start?
Start by deciding what you want your next home to make possible. Before decluttering, renovating or choosing a listing date, think about how you want to live, where you might feel comfortable and what you can comfortably afford.
You don’t need every answer today. You need a starting point and a plan that takes shape at your pace.
By Sandra Rinomato & Gary MacRae | Etobicoke Real Estate Brokers
1. Start with your life, then consider the home
“Smaller” isn’t the whole plan. You might want less maintenance, fewer stairs, more freedom to travel or to live closer to the people you enjoy.
Ask yourself:
• What do I enjoy about my current home?
• What has become tiring, expensive or difficult?
• What would I like an ordinary day to look like after moving?
• What am I unwilling to give up?
For some Etobicoke homeowners, a condo is a good fit. Others prefer a bungalow, a smaller house or a rental. Start with how you want to live, then explore the homes that could support it.
You’re choosing your next chapter, not simply fewer rooms.
2. Explore where you could live before committing to a move
You don’t need to choose your next home immediately. Start by finding out what your options actually look and feel like.
Would you prefer to stay in Etobicoke, move closer to family or explore another community? Visit a few properties and neighbourhoods without putting pressure on yourself to make a decision.
Look beyond square footage. Consider stairs, storage, parking, outdoor space and how easily you could reach shops, appointments and friends. If you’re considering a condo, think about the building’s rules, monthly fees and whether the layout suits your everyday life.
A smaller home should make life more manageable. It still needs room for the things that matter to you.
3. Understand the numbers before setting a timeline
Before deciding when to move, get a realistic picture of what your current home could sell for and what your next home might cost.
We’ll help you understand your home’s likely selling range, based on comparable properties and its condition, location and features. An online estimate can start a conversation, but it cannot account for every detail.
Build a moving budget that includes preparation, selling expenses, legal fees, moving costs and the costs of buying or renting your next home. Compare ongoing expenses too. A smaller property doesn’t automatically mean a smaller monthly bill.
If you need financing or want to understand how the move fits your retirement plans, involve your mortgage professional or financial adviser early.
The goal is to know what feels comfortable before making commitments.
4. Make a manageable plan for your belongings
You don’t have to sort the entire house before asking for advice. Start with one drawer, one cupboard or one category of belongings.
Separate what you use and love from what you could donate, sell, recycle or pass along. For items you hope family members will take, ask them before planning your move around their answer.
Leave sentimental decisions for a time when you have the energy and support to make them. Photographs, keepsakes and family collections often deserve more thought than the spare toaster.
Once you have a clearer idea of your next home, its layout and storage will help you decide what can come with you. If the task feels overwhelming, we can discuss introductions to organizers and other practical support.
Small, steady decisions are progress. You don’t need to do everything in a weekend.
5. Bring the sale and your next move into one plan
Once your priorities, housing options and budget are clearer, we can work through the order of your move.
Should you sell first or buy first? That depends on your circumstances, available homes, financing and how comfortable you are with uncertainty. We’ll explain the trade-offs so you can choose an approach that suits you.
Before spending money on improvements, ask which preparations are likely to help your sale. Some homes need repairs or fresh paint. Others benefit most from decluttering, cleaning and thoughtful presentation.
Then build a timeline around the preparation, sale, next home and move, with room for practical support along the way.
You don’t need all the answers before we talk. We’ll help you work out the next step.
Your next chapter can start with a conversation
If you’re considering downsizing in Etobicoke, Toronto or the GTA, we’ll help you explore your options and identify a practical first step. You can be months away from moving, or still deciding whether a move makes sense.
Prefer to begin with some reading? Our free downsizing guide gives you 10 practical steps to work through at your own pace.