Selling
Should I Downsize My House? A Colorado Checklist
Downsize when the house costs more in stairs, upkeep, taxes and time than it gives back.
A live person answers. Not a robot, not a phone tree.
Downsize when the house costs you more in stairs, upkeep, taxes and time than it gives back in use. Sellers stayed a median of 11 years before selling, an all-time high (NAR 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers), so many carry large equity and large gains. Plan the tax, the next home and the move date before you list.
What are the signs it is time?
- Whole floors or rooms go unused for months.
- Stairs, snow and yard work take more time than you want to give them.
- You travel and the house sits empty.
- Property taxes and insurance keep climbing on space you do not use.
What does downsizing cost?
- Commission and closing costs on the sale.
- Capital gains tax on gain above $250,000 single or $500,000 married filing jointly (IRS Publication 523, 2025).
- Colorado's documentary fee on the purchase: 1 cent per $100, or $100 on a $1 million home (C.R.S. 39-13-102).
- Moving, storage and any updates to the new place.
Should I buy first or sell first?
- Sell first and rent back from your buyer for a few weeks.
- Buy first with cash or a bridge loan from {{MIKE}}.
- Write a contingent offer when the market allows it.
- A rent-back is written into the sale contract with dates and a fee.
What should the next home have?
- Primary suite on the main floor. A guest room for visits.
- A garage that fits your cars and storage.
- HOA snow and yard care if you want lock-and-leave.
- Room for the furniture you keep. Measure the big pieces first.
How early should I start?
- Sort belongings 90 days before you list.
- Get a Smart Pricing Report so you know your net.
- Start the next-home search at the same time.
- Book movers and estate sale help once you have a contract.
Does my senior property tax exemption move with me?
- For 2025 and 2026, yes. SB24-111 carries the 50%-of-$200,000 reduction to a new primary residence for seniors who qualified on a prior home (Colorado General Assembly).
- After 2026 it continues only if lawmakers renew it.
Financing by Rate: Mike Oswald, VP of Mortgage Lending, NMLS #261003, (720) 677-5816. Guaranteed Rate, Inc. d/b/a Rate, NMLS #2611. Equal Housing Lender. Licensing: nmlsconsumeraccess.org. You may use any lender; the Kenna Real Estate Group receives nothing for the introduction. Not a commitment to lend; loans are subject to credit approval.
Quick answers
Questions, answered.
How long do sellers stay before downsizing?
Sellers stayed a median of 11 years before selling in 2025 (NAR).
What is the Colorado documentary fee?
1 cent per $100 of the price, paid to the county clerk (C.R.S. 39-13-102).
Should I sell first or buy first?
It depends on your cash. Sell first with a rent-back, or buy first with cash or a bridge loan. We map both on your numbers.
Free playbook
The Colorado Luxury Downsizing Playbook.
Sell the estate, buy the right home, move once. The 12-week plan, the tax and cash questions, the ranch, patio, 55+ and golf communities, and the checklist. 8 pages, free.
A live person answers. Not a robot, not a phone tree.
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Kenna Luxury Real Estate is a division of the Kenna Real Estate Group at Keller Williams DTC (KWDTC).