Downsizing is Smart. Rightsizing is Smarter.

For many adults 65+, the idea of downsizing comes up as life shifts and priorities change. The children are grown, the rooms are quiet, and the upkeep feels endless. A smaller home sounds smart—less to clean, less to maintain, and certainly less expense. But what if there's an even better option?

Downsizing: The Traditional Path for Empty Nesters and Retirees

Downsizing has long been seen as the logical next step for older adults looking to simplify.  Trading in the large family home for a smaller space often brings relief from maintenance, high utility bills, and underused square footage. It can be a smart financial move and an opportunity to focus less on possessions and more on experiences.

The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Thinking

But downsizing doesn’t work the same way for everyone. Not every smaller, less costly home meets the needs of older adults. Some may sacrifice comfort, amenities, or accessibility to shops, services, and entertainment .  A home that’s too small, too removed from family or friends, lacks storage, or feels isolating can create new challenges.

So What Is Rightsizing — and Why Is It Smarter?

While downsizing focuses on decreasing living space, rightsizing centers on optimizing it.  In fact, downsizing is actually a part of rightsizing.  Rightsizing is about choosing a location and a home that aligns with your current lifestyle and future needs—not just your square footage.  It’s less about "smaller" and more about "better fit." That could mean a single-level floorplan, a community with more amenities, better proximity to healthcare, or room for visiting family. The goal is to enhance your overall quality of life, not simply to reduce it.

Rightsizing in the Current Market: Why Timing Matters

Today’s real estate market in Potomac, Rockville and Bethesda offers a wide range of rightsizing options, from stunning urban condominiums and amenity-rich  rental apartments,  to the grand new  independent living communities, but timing is everything. Inventory, interest rates, and local housing trends all play a role in when and where to make your move. Planning ahead can give you more choices and better outcomes. 

How to Start the Rightsizing Process With Confidence

Rightsizing begins with reflection, research, and the right support. Talking to a Rightsizing Realtor specialist can help -  a professional who knows the questions to ask in understanding your motivations and priorities,  who’s intimately familiar with the neighborhoods and market trends within them, who has the experience and expertise to be an informative resource and a qualified guide, someone who can create a well thought-out plan that supports your future, not just your next move. 

Ready to explore your opportunities? 

Whether you’re considering the more traditional notion of downsizing or the more personalized rightsizing option, start with my free resource bundle: get my Downsizing Guide, complete with a Decluttering Blueprint and Moving Checklist — it’s everything you need to begin your journey with confidence and clarity. Or, just email me,

Kris Feldman, directly, [email protected], and let’s talk about how to make your next home the right one.