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Lisa Dunn, SRES®, CSA®, CSREC · RE/MAX Results, Edina
Realtor who specializes in downsizing for seniors in the Twin Cities
Downsizing in the Twin Cities starts with deciding what your next home needs to be, then timing the sale of the house you have now. I'm Lisa Dunn, SRES®, CSA®, CSREC, with RE/MAX Results, and since 2003 I've helped older adults downsize to one-level homes, condos, co-ops and senior living, at their own pace.
When is the right time to downsize?
Usually before you have to. When the stairs, the yard or the upkeep start shaping your days, it's worth looking at options while you have time to choose. The Stay, Modify or Move scorecard is a good place to start.
Will downsizing actually lower my costs?
Not always. A smaller home can mean less upkeep, but association fees, co-op monthly fees, or senior living rent can add up. We compare the full monthly cost of each option side by side before you decide, and I suggest checking the numbers with your financial planner.
Where can I find a one-level home in the Twin Cities?
One-level living comes in several forms: ranch-style houses, condos with elevators, townhomes with a main-floor primary suite, and 55+ senior cooperatives. I'll help you search across the metro for the ones that fit your budget and location. See senior co-ops too.
How do I get the house ready to sell without doing everything at once?
We walk through the house together and pick the few things worth doing before you list, and what's fine to leave. Then we set a realistic schedule, room by room, so it doesn't all land on one weekend.
What about all the stuff?
Sorting decades of belongings takes longer than most people expect, so we build time for it into the plan. I don't do the sorting or clean-out myself. I can refer you to people who help with that.
Do I sell first or buy first?
It depends on your cash flow, your timeline and your next home. My sell-first guide walks through the three common approaches.
Your homework
Walk through your home and note which rooms you use every day. That's the size of your next home.
Free 30-minute call
What's your next right step?
Whether a move is a year or two out or a few weeks away, I'll help you sort out what comes first. No cost and no pressure.