For many homeowners, retirement isn’t a distant thought anymore it’s becoming very real.

According to Realtor.com and the Census, nearly 12,000 people will turn 65 every day for the next two years. The latest data shows about 15% of those older Americans plan to retire in 2026, and another 23% expect to retire in 2027.

If you’re thinking about retiring soon, here are some key things to consider.

Why Downsize?

Now’s a great time to think about how you want your life to look in retirement. Even though your finances will change, you don’t have to feel like you’re living with less.

Chances are, what you really want is for life to feel easier.

• Easier to enjoy

• Easier to manage

• Easier to maintain every day

The Top Reasons People Over 60 Move

You can see these benefits in the data when you look at why people over 60 are moving. The National Association of Realtors finds the top four reasons aren’t about timing the market or chasing top dollar — they’re about lifestyle.

• Moving closer to kids, grandkids, or longtime friends so it’s easier to spend time with the people who matter most

• Wanting a smaller, more practical home that’s easier to maintain and doesn’t come with a lot of stairs

• Retiring and no longer needing to stay close to work, giving you the freedom to live wherever you’d like

• Choosing a smaller place to help lower monthly costs like utilities, insurance, and maintenance

No matter the reason, the message stays the same: downsizing isn’t about losing things. It’s about gaining control, choosing simplicity, and having the peace of mind that your home matches the years ahead, not the years behind.

And the best part is that it’s more affordable now than many homeowners expect.

The #1 Thing Helping So Many Homeowners Downsize

Here’s what makes it possible: with home values having risen so much over the years, many longtime homeowners are finding they’re in a stronger position than they expected to make a move.

According to Cotality, the average homeowner now has about $299,000 in home equity. For older Americans, that figure is often higher because they’ve usually owned their homes longer.

When you live in the same home for years, or even decades, two things usually happen at the same time:

• Your home’s value has time to grow

• Your mortgage balance gets smaller over time or may even be completely paid off

That mix opens up more possibilities than you might think, even in today's market.

Whether you just retired or are about to, it’s a good time to start thinking about what comes next. Leaving the home full of years of memories can be hard, but maybe it’s time to close one chapter and open another that’s just as exciting.

Bottom Line

Downsizing means preparing for the next chapter of your life on your own terms.

If retirement is coming and you’re curious about what your house and its equity could do for you, the first step isn’t selling it’s learning about your options.

Let’s talk. A relaxed, no-pressure conversation can help you picture what downsizing would look like and whether it’s the right move for you.