Downsizing in Erie: Better for You Now, Not Just Smaller
A calm plan for moving to a home that fits your life now.
What downsizing really means
Downsizing in Erie and Boulder County usually starts with a quiet thought, not a For Sale sign. The stairs are getting old. Two bedrooms sit empty. The yard takes a Saturday you'd like to spend another way. I call it right-sizing, because most people I work with aren't looking for less. They're looking for a home that fits the life they have now.
That might be a single-level ranch, a home with less upkeep, or a place you can lock and leave when you travel. It might mean staying in the same town, or moving closer to the people and places you count on. There isn't one right answer, and you don't need to have it figured out before we talk.
It's also normal to feel two things at once. You can be excited about what's next and still feel sad about leaving a home full of memories. Both are part of this, and neither one means you're making a mistake.
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How I help you right-size
I'm Carol Vanlandingham, a REALTOR® with eXp Realty, and Homes by Carol is my practice here in Erie. I've lived in this area for over 31 years, so I know which neighborhoods have the single-level homes people ask about and how far each one sits from the doctors, stores and friends you already rely on.
We start with what you're moving toward, not only what you're leaving. What does a good ordinary Tuesday look like in your next home? What do you want close by? What are you done taking care of? Your answers shape everything after that, including whether moving is the right call at all.
One couple I helped had lived in their three-level Boulder home for 37 years. They wanted single-level living, but their doctors, their friends and the life they'd built were all nearby. We found a home in Erie that gave them both. We weren't trying to find less. We were trying to find better for them now. After closing, we had dinner together to celebrate, and that's the part of this work I love most.
I'm your advisor, not the decision-maker. If the numbers or the timing say "not yet," I'll tell you that, and we can look again when it makes sense.
What we work through together
A right-sizing move has more moving parts than a regular sale, because you're usually selling one home and choosing another. We take them one at a time.
- The order of the two moves. Sell first, buy first, or line them up close together. Each choice has a cost and a comfort level, and we look at your numbers before you pick one.
- What you'd walk away with. I put together an estimate of your proceeds at different prices, after commissions and typical closing costs, so you can see what your next home can cost.
- What to do with everything. Years of belongings can feel like the biggest hurdle. We make a simple plan, room by room, and I can suggest local help if you'd like it.
- Getting the house ready without overdoing it. I'll tell you what's worth fixing and what I'd skip.
- A timeline you set. Some people move in two months. Some take a year. Both are fine.
When it's time to sell, your home goes through the same steps as every home I list. You can read the whole thing on my How I Sell a Home page, including how I build the price and what happens after launch. For tax or estate questions, I'll point you to your accountant or attorney, because those answers should come from them.
Right-sizing around Erie and Boulder County
Erie has grown a great deal over the last 20 years, and several of its newer neighborhoods include single-level ranch homes built for lock-and-leave living. That's one reason people who are right-sizing often start their search here. You can read more on my Erie page.
I also help people right-size across Boulder County and the towns just east of it. If you already know the town you want, tell me. If you don't, we can drive a few together and compare what daily life would look like in each. Browse the areas I serve to see where I work.
A good first step is knowing what your current home could sell for. You can ask for a free home value report, or send me a note and we'll talk it through with no pressure. If you're helping a parent make this kind of move, my page on helping aging parents move may be useful too. You can always start from the home page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I sell my current home before I buy the next one?
It depends on your finances and how much uncertainty you're comfortable with. Selling first tells you exactly what you have to spend. Buying first lets you move once. We look at your numbers together, and you may want to talk with a lender too, before you choose.
How long does a downsizing move take?
As long as you need. Some of my clients are ready in a couple of months, and others plan for a year or more. Starting the conversation early gives you more choices and less pressure.
What if I'm not sure I want to leave my home?
Then we talk about it before anything else happens. I'll show you your options and what each would cost, and you decide. Sometimes the right answer is to stay, and I'll tell you if that's what I see.
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In my clients' words
5.0 from 28 reviews on Google
“Carol is an amazing realtor. From the moment we decided to sell our home, she worked hard to get it done. Carol gave us great service - everything from figuring out pricing to fabulous pictures from her awesome photographer to great networking. In two days we were under contract!”
“We highly recommend calling Carol when looking to sell or buy a house.”
“I would totally use Carol in future real estate ventures. She sold my mountain property in less than 24 hrs. In the middle of winter. She is professional and a very caring agent. Thx again Carol for work well done.”
“Excellence! This is the first word to come to mind when Carol Vanlandingham is representing you and your family. Whether it was buying a new home locally or out of state or selling, Carol has been our professional for several transactions over the past few years.”
“Why? She is very knowledgable about the market and has excellent resources for lenders and repairpeople. And most importantly, when she says she will do something, she does it.”
“Integrity, trust, and a lot of grit. She gets things done and has your best interest in everything she does!”
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Ready to make your move with Homes by Carol?