In decades past, downsizing was just what people did after the kids moved out. The natural next step: something smaller, easier to maintain, and closer to what matters most. But a 2024 research piece has shown that Australians 55+ are more focused on finding a home that suits their current lifestyle needs, rather than simply downsizing.
The white paper revealed that one in four Australians intend to relocate within the next two years, with 67% of respondents identifying "rightsizing" as a major factor driving their decision to move.
That could mean fewer bedrooms, less yard work, a smarter layout, a better location, or something that frees up equity for the future. The growing trend emphasises finding a home that aligns with current life stage, financial situation, and lifestyle needs.
What is rightsizing, and how is it different from downsizing?
At first glance, they might sound like the same thing. But the difference becomes clear when you're standing in the hallway of a home that no longer suits your lifestyle.
Downsizing is often about going smaller to cut costs or reduce upkeep. Rightsizing? That's about choosing better. It's about finding a home that fits your life today, not the one you needed 10 or 20 years ago. For some, that might mean less space, while for others, that might mean more light, comfort, or walkability. It's not always cheaper; it's not always smaller.
But it's always smarter because it's designed around you.
Rightsizing your home in Australia might mean swapping bedrooms for a home office, ditching a big backyard for a sunny balcony, or trading the suburbs for a beachside village. It's a move shaped by your priorities, not just the property market. A whopping 82% of respondents in the study (ages 55–74) who plan to move said “I want an easier property to maintain,” making reduced upkeep the top reason to seek a smaller home.
Lifestyle changes, and what you need from your home changes with it. Maybe the kids have moved out. Or, you're working part-time or remotely. Or, you'd rather spend weekends travelling than pulling weeds. That once-perfect family home might start to feel too big, too quiet, or too much.
Rightsizing your property in Australia allows you to align your home with your new lifestyle and maximise your time, energy, and freedom.
Financial freedom. A larger home can quietly chip away at your budget, from higher power bills to extra maintenance. Rightsizing lets you trim everyday costs, unlock home equity, and fund other goals (like retirement, travel, or helping the kids).
It's not about cutting back; it's about reallocating your money in ways that support what's next.
Personal preferences. This is where rightsizing becomes deeply personal. You want to be closer to family (but not too close). You want a walkable lifestyle near the café, beach, or local shops. You're ready to swap stairs for single-level living or trade unused space for smart design.
In short, you're ready for a home that suits you, not just your past.
Whether you're looking for a modern apartment, a townhouse near the grandkids, or a home by the coast, rightsizing is about making a move that reflects who you are now and what you want next.
You might also be interested in: Why your property valuation could be lower than you expected
What is the role of rightsizing in Australia's housing market?
When we talk about rightsizing, the focus is usually personal: your lifestyle, your space, your future, and that's exactly where it should start. But here's something not everyone realises: rightsizing doesn't just benefit the people moving. It can also help the wider housing market, especially when demand is high, supply is tight, and finding the right home feels harder than ever.
Let's zoom out for a moment.
Right now, Australia's housing market has a space problem. Thousands of growing families are looking for more room, and thousands of spacious homes are still owned by couples or individuals who no longer need that space. According to the ABS, around 77% of Aussie homes have more bedrooms than the people living in them need.
That's an estimated 13 million spare bedrooms across the country. That's not about blame; it's just how life evolves. Kids grow up and move out, and the big family home becomes too big. But without the right support, the thought of moving can feel overwhelming.
When people feel confident and supported to rightsize, those well-located homes don't sit empty—they become homes again. And that creates space in a market that's calling out for it.
Policymakers have also started to recognise how important rightsizing is for older Australians and the system as a whole. Here are a few of the initiatives in place or the works:
Downsizer Super Contributions. If you're 55 or older, you can contribute up to $300,000 from selling your family home directly into your super without counting toward contribution caps. It's a way to boost retirement savings while freeing up a home.
Stamp duty concessions. Some states offer discounted or waived stamp duty for eligible downsizers moving to a lower-value or smaller home, helping reduce the financial barriers to making the move.
Zoning reforms and more local housing. Many local councils now prioritise low-maintenance, medium-density housing, a smart, accessible home that makes it easier to stay in your community even if your needs change. It's all part of a bigger shift: turning rightsizing into a practical, empowering option, not a compromise.
When rightsizing becomes easier, everyone wins; young families get access to homes in good suburbs, near schools and parks; older homeowners move into properties that better suit their lifestyle, health and budget; communities benefit from more diversity with different age groups, needs, and experiences living side by side.
With that, the market as a whole becomes more flexible, more efficient, and better able to keep up with the needs of Australians across every life stage.
Remember, rightsizing is personal but also powerful. It's a rare decision that makes a difference beyond your front door. You free up homes, create space, and show others that moving forward doesn't have to mean letting go; it can mean gaining something new.
What are the benefits of rightsizing?
For many homeowners, moving isn't just about real estate. It's about feeling more at ease in a home that works better for their lifestyle. Once you unpack what matters most, the benefits of rightsizing will speak for themselves. It's about what you leave behind and what you stand to gain.
A home that suits the way you live now. For many, rightsizing starts with one simple realisation: we've got more space than we need. It's not about giving up space; it's about making space work harder and smarter. That could mean swapping five bedrooms for three, ditching unused dining rooms or empty upstairs spaces, or choosing a floor plan that makes everyday living easier.
Rightsizers value things like secure parking, storage, and proximity to shops and healthcare far more than oversized spaces or luxury add-ons. In fact, having a lock-up garage was the number-one “must have” for 66% of the people surveyed.
Walk-in storage, a sun-drenched kitchen, or a second living area that doubles as a hobby room or grandkids' play zone. Every room gets used; every space has a purpose.
More financial freedom. Let's face it: big homes often come with big bills. It all adds up from council rates and insurance to power costs and weekend maintenance. Rightsizing can help ease the pressure and unlock value from your current home. Here's what that can look like:
Lower living costs = more cash for the things you love.
More equity available for your next chapter.
Flexibility to help your kids, fund travel, or top up your retirement.
It's not about cutting back. It's about redirecting your money toward what matters most.
A home that's easier to care for and enjoy. Rightsizing doesn't mean compromising comfort. It's often the opposite. A right-sized home is single-level, easy to move around in, quicker to clean and cheaper to run, smarter to heat and cool (hello, lower bills), and less maintenance outside so that you can swap the mower for a morning cuppa on the patio.
It's a lifestyle upgrade without the upkeep.
Staying close to what you love. One of the biggest misconceptions about downsizing is that you must move far away to make it work. But rightsizing keeps you in control of what matters most: stay close to family or move even closer, stay in the suburb you love (just in a better-fit home), and choose a walkable location that supports your health, independence and social life.
You don't have to give up community to rightsize. In many cases, you get to enjoy it more.
Ready for what's next. Rightsizing isn't just about the present; it's also a way to plan. Whether it's a single-level floor plan with no stairs, accessible bathrooms, and/or proximity to medical care, transport or support services, you're setting yourself up for comfort and independence.
Rightsizing is more than the house; it's about lifestyle, clarity, and choice. It's about moving into a space that supports where you're at and where you're heading next.
What are the potential challenges of rightsizing?
Rightsizing your home can be one of the most rewarding moves. But we won't sugar-coat it: there are a few hurdles, from emotional ties to financial management.
Letting go of the family home. For most homeowners, the toughest part isn't the money; it's the memories—the backyard that hosted family cricket, the hallway that saw first steps, last school photos, and everything in between. Leaving it all behind can feel like a big emotional shift.
But here's the truth: your memories aren't tied to the walls; they live with you. Letting go of the house doesn't mean losing your story. It just means turning the page.
Hot tip: Focusing on what you're moving towards, rather than what you're leaving, can make the decision feel clearer and lighter.
Finding the right next home. A big challenge is finding a property that ticks all the boxes, especially if you want to stay local. You might want a single-level home, low maintenance, a room for guests, or a walkable location. However, suitable homes can be hard to find in competitive markets.
That's where working with a Buyer's Agent can help. We know how to uncover hidden gems, access off-market listings, and guide you through options you might not have considered. You don't have to do it alone and don't have to settle.
Managing the money side. Even if rightsizing means freeing up equity, there are still some upfront costs to plan for, including selling and legal fees, moving costs, stamp duty (though some downsizers qualify for concessions), and potential impacts on your pension or government benefits.
This is where an experienced Aussie Broker can step in. We'll help you consider the full picture and structure the move to suit your long-term goals. We believe the financial side of rightsizing should support your lifestyle, not complicate it.
Getting the timing right. One of the biggest unknowns? When to make the move. Should you sell first or buy first? What if you find the perfect place before your home sells? Is now the right time, or should you wait until retirement? There's no one-size-fits-all answer.
But there is a plan that will work for you. We help our clients explore all their options so they can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Rightsizing has its challenges, but it's worth it. It can feel like a big step, but it’s a decision that thousands of Australians are making with confidence.
Ready to rightsize? Here's how to do it with clarity.
If you've outgrown your current home (or it's outgrown you), it might be time to rightsize. But it's not just about selling and hoping for the best. It's about making a smart, well-supported plan that lands you in the right home at the right time with confidence.
Here's how we help our clients make it happen, one step at a time.
Start with your lifestyle now and next. Before jumping into listings, take a moment to check in to see how life looks and how you'd like it to look down the track. Ask yourself:
How much of our current home do we use?
Do we need space for guests, hobbies or grandkids?
Would single-level living make life easier?
Are we looking to travel more and maintain less?
Rightsizing is about choosing a home that fits your future, not just your furniture.
Talk to your Aussie team early. This is where expert advice makes a real difference. Our Brokers and Buyer's Agents will help you understand your full picture and carefully guide you through it.
Together, we'll:
Check your borrowing power and equity.
Map out the costs of selling and buying.
Connect you with trusted partners if needed.
This isn't a one-size-fits-all process, and that's exactly why tailored guidance matters.
Search with purpose, not pressure. It's easy to get lost in real estate listings. We'll help you cut through the clutter and focus on what matters. That means shortlisting suburbs that match your lifestyle, comparing property types (units, villas, duplexes) and what they offer, accessing off-market homes and pre-listings, and matching what you want with what you need.
Rightsizing isn't just about space; it's about finding the right fit for your day-to-day life.
Plan your move like a pro. Timing your transition is key, and with the right plan, it doesn't have to be stressful. We'll walk you through common options like:
Sell first, then buy: Great for budgeting and certainty.
Buy first, then sell: Works if you've got the financial buffer.
Bridging finance: A short-term loan to cover the gap.
Whatever you choose, we'll help you line it up with less risk and more peace of mind.
Rightsizing works best with a plan and a partner. When you pause to plan, ask the right questions, and have the right support in your corner, rightsizing becomes more than just a move; it becomes a smart next step. Your first move doesn't have to be big. Just start with a conversation.
Ready to make your next move the right one?
Rightsizing isn't just about moving into something smaller; it's about moving into something smarter—a home that works for you now, a lifestyle that feels easier, freer, and more you.
Yes, there are decisions to make and steps to plan. But with the right support from a local Aussie Broker or Buyer's Agent, it becomes less about letting go and more about gaining a home that suits your goal. We've helped thousands of Australians make the shift with clarity and confidence. We're here to help you do the same if you're thinking about what's next.