Maybe your home feels a little tighter than it used to. Maybe the stairs and yard work have lost their appeal. Or perhaps you have plenty of space, but the layout no longer works for your everyday life.
That is where rightsizing comes in.
Rightsizing means finding a home that fits your life today while keeping your future needs in mind. It might mean more room, less maintenance, a different neighbourhood, or simply a home that makes your routine easier.
For homeowners in Edmonton and the surrounding communities, one of the biggest questions is often the same: Should we buy our next home or sell our current one first?
The answer starts with understanding what you need, what you can comfortably manage, and how the two moves will fit together.
What Does Rightsizing Actually Mean?
Rightsizing is broader than downsizing. A growing family moving from a townhouse into a detached home is rightsizing. So is a homeowner trading unused bedrooms and a large yard for a property that requires less upkeep.
You might be looking for:
More bedrooms, a home office, or space for extended family.
Fewer stairs or a main floor bedroom.
A smaller yard and less maintenance.
A location closer to work, family, or everyday services.
A layout that uses space more effectively.
Square footage tells only part of the story. A well planned smaller home might work better than a larger home with rooms you rarely use.
Start With What You Want to Change
Before browsing listings, take a moment to identify what is driving the move.
Is your home too small, or is storage the real issue? Do you need less space, or would a different layout solve the problem? Are you ready for a new neighbourhood, or do you mainly want less maintenance?
Make two short lists: what you want to leave behind and what you want your next home to offer.
Be specific. “Something smaller” is a starting point. “Two bedrooms, laundry on the main floor, room for visiting family, and a manageable yard” gives your search a clearer direction.
It also helps you compare moving with staying and making changes to your current home.
Should You Sell Your Home First?
Selling first gives you a clearer picture of your sale price and the proceeds available for your next purchase. It also removes the uncertainty of waiting for your home to sell after committing to another property.
The challenge is finding your next home within the available time.
If the right property does not come along, you may need temporary accommodation, storage, or a second move. That is worth discussing before listing, especially if your next home needs a particular layout or location.
Selling first may appeal to homeowners who want greater clarity around their budget and have some flexibility about where they live between homes.
Should You Buy Your Next Home First?
Buying first lets you secure a home that meets your needs before selling your current property. This can be appealing when your search is specific, such as a bungalow in a particular neighbourhood or a home close to family.
The uncertainty shifts to the sale of your existing home.
What happens if it takes longer to sell than expected? What if the sale price is lower than you planned? Could you manage an overlap between the two properties?
Before choosing this approach, have your mortgage professional confirm what is available to you and what an overlap would involve. A realistic selling plan matters just as much as finding the next home.
How Do You Coordinate Buying and Selling at the Same Time?
Planning early gives you more room to make decisions.
Start by understanding your current home's likely market value and what preparation it needs before listing. At the same time, explore the types of properties available in your preferred areas.
From there, work through your budget, financing, timing, and backup options.
Possession dates are part of that conversation, but so are the practical details. Where would you stay if there were a gap? Would you need storage? How much flexibility do you have around work, school, or moving arrangements?
The goal is to understand those possibilities before you are making decisions under pressure.
Will Downsizing Save You Money?
It can, but a smaller home is not automatically a less expensive home.
A renovated bungalow in a sought after neighbourhood may cost more than a larger property elsewhere. A condominium may reduce some maintenance responsibilities while adding monthly condominium fees.
Compare the full picture, including:
Purchase price and expected sale proceeds.
Mortgage payments and any costs confirmed by your lender.
Property taxes, utilities, and insurance.
Condominium fees, where applicable.
Maintenance, repairs, and potential updates.
Moving, storage, and closing costs.
If reducing expenses is your main goal, focus on the expected total cost of living in the next home. Size alone will not tell you whether the move achieves that goal.
Think About the Home You Will Need Later
Your next home should work for your current routine, but it is helpful to think ahead.
Could your household change? Might you want space for a parent, adult child, or visiting family? Will stairs or outdoor maintenance become less appealing over time?
Look closely at bedroom and bathroom locations, laundry access, entrances, parking, and storage. Consider how easily you can reach the people and services you rely on.
You do not have to predict every future need. You can look for a home that gives you useful flexibility.
Choosing Where to Rightsize Around Edmonton
The right community depends on how you want to live.
You may want to stay close to familiar neighbours and routines. You may be considering Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Beaumont, Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan, or another surrounding community.
Compare locations using your actual week. Think about the drive to work, visits with family, grocery trips, recreation, and appointments.
Then compare the homes available in those areas. A property can look ideal online while creating a daily routine that does not suit you. The location and the home need to work together.
You Can Explore Your Options Before You Are Ready to Move
You do not need a firm moving date to start the conversation.
An early look at your home's value, your priorities, and the properties available can help you decide whether a move makes sense now or belongs further down the road.
It can also show you what to prepare, what to ask your mortgage professional, and which decisions deserve more time.
Mary Bark and David Szusz with The Real Estate Team help homeowners connect those pieces, from preparing their current home for sale to finding a property that better fits their next chapter.
Start With Our Rightsizing Your Home Guide
Wondering whether to buy first, sell first, move up, or simplify? Our Rightsizing Your Home Guide walks you through the options so you can start planning with more clarity.
Get Your Free Rightsizing Guide
When you are ready, Mary Bark and David Szusz with The Real Estate Team can help you connect the sale of your current home with the purchase of one that better fits your life.
The Real Estate Team
Mary Bark and David Szusz
REMAX River City
thereteam.ca