There comes a time in many people\u2019s lives when you start to weigh up how big your home really needs to be.<\/strong><\/p>\n The kids have probably moved out, there are extra rooms and unused space everywhere, and you just don\u2019t have the same requirements that you once did.<\/p>\n It sounds like you\u2019re ready to downsize your home. But as a downsizer, how do you choose the best property for you?<\/p>\n Here are some key factors you should consider.<\/p>\n There are many benefits to downsizing your home if you choose the right property for your needs. Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Woodards agent Nelson Machuca says most downsizers prefer homes that are based exclusively on one level, to avoid them having to walk up and down stairs as they get older.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ones that we find are most popular for that demographic are properties that are all at ground level,\u201d Machuca says.<\/p>\n \u201cThey (homes) don\u2019t have any staircases or anything like that. If they do have staircases or that type of scenario, then look for the properties that have the main bedroom downstairs with an ensuite. They\u2019ll probably sacrifice the first level, or rarely ever use it, but they often like to have it for when people visit.\u201d<\/p>\n To future-proof your mobility in the home, narrow your search to single-level homes. Picture: realestate.com.au\/buy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Dinners with friends, family gatherings and other social occasions are all important to many downsizers, so choosing a house that has large entertaining areas, and room for family and grandchildren to sleep, is important.<\/p>\n \u201cThey want a nice kitchen where they can entertain,\u201d Machuca says.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of these people, even though they\u2019re downsizing, they\u2019re still having friends and family coming and staying with them, so ideally speaking they\u2019re still looking for a three-bedroom home but in a much more compact block. So no big backyard or anything like that \u2013 very easy to maintain.\u201d<\/p>\n A large garage is important for most downsizers for a couple of reasons, Machuca says.<\/p>\n Firstly, the majority of downsizing couples will have two cars. And secondly, a garage provides additional storage space.<\/p>\n \u201cA double garage is certainly a necessity for a lot of those people,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re still perhaps both driving, and it provides security and gives them more storage, which is important when they\u2019re downsizing.\u201d<\/p>\n A double garage with ample storage space is essential for many downsizers. Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Just because you\u2019re downsizing your home, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that you\u2019re prepared to part with a large number of your possessions.<\/p>\n Machuca says that if you\u2019re smart with your property selection, you\u2019ll find a home that will accommodate most of your former house\u2019s contents.<\/p>\n \u201cOne thing that\u2019s often extremely important for them is the current furniture<\/a> that they have, and whether it\u2019s going to fit into the standard of property that they\u2019re going to be moving into,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of them will try and keep the heirlooms and furniture that they have, so they\u2019ll look for a home that is substantially big enough to maintain their main pieces of furniture.\u201d<\/p>\n Downsizing doesn\u2019t necessarily include your belongings, so ensure that your new living areas are large enough to house them. Picture: realestate.com.au\/buy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Unless they\u2019re chasing a dramatic sea change or a lifestyle switch, the majority of downsizers are looking for a home somewhere close by to their current location, Machuca says.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people have spent their entire life there, so they don\u2019t want to go too far from where they are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom a financial point of view that also makes a lot of sense, because if they\u2019re downsizing home in the same suburb or area that they\u2019re currently living in, it\u2019s going to be a pretty straightforward transaction and they\u2019re going to end up with some money in their pocket.\u201d<\/p>\n Search tool:\u00a0Discover new homes<\/a>, house and land packages in Australia.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\n <\/p><\/div>\n Realestate au <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"downsizing\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/2000x1500-fit%2Cprogressive\/2018\/02\/08155930\/downsizing_2000x1500.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nAre you a senior downsizing? Stick with single-level<\/h2>\n
![\"single](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/869x652-fit%2Cprogressive\/2018\/02\/08160259\/single-level-house_800x600.jpg?resize=869%2C652&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nSmall enough to maintain, big enough to entertain<\/h2>\n
Double down on garaging<\/h2>\n
![\"double](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1885x1414-fit%2Cprogressive\/2018\/02\/08160826\/double-garage_2000x1500.jpg?resize=1885%2C1414&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nAdequate internal space<\/h2>\n
![\"table](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1822x1366-fit%2Cprogressive\/2018\/01\/15113003\/table-lamp-living-room_2000x1500.jpg?resize=1822%2C1366&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nA familiar location<\/h2>\n