Smartsizing
A Better Fit for What's Next
For years, "downsizing" has been the go-to term for moving into a smaller home. Today, homeowners are embracing a more thoughtful approach called smartsizing. Rather than focusing on less space, smartsizing is about finding a home that better suits your lifestyle, priorities, and future plans.
For some, smartsizing means moving into a home that requires less upkeep. For others, it's trading a two-story house for a single-level floor plan, relocating closer to family, or choosing a neighborhood with more walkability and amenities. It all depends on how you want your home to enhance your life. Here are several ways smartsizing might make sense for you.
Lighten Your Workload
Living in less space means less time spent cleaning, mowing, and making repairs.
Trim Monthly Bills
A home with the right amount of space may reduce utility bills, maintenance expenses, and other household costs.
Tap Into Your Equity
Selling a larger home could free up equity to help reduce debt, fund travel and investments, or achieve other financial goals, such as retirement savings.
Make Every Day Easier
Features like single-level living, wider doorways, or being near family can make life easier.
Gain More Freedom
Saving time and money on home maintenance can create opportunities for hobbies, family, or new experiences.
Support Your Goals
Whether you're an empty nester, retiree, or simply ready for a change, a right-sized home reflects your current priorities — not your past ones.
Every move deserves careful planning and thoughtful decision-making. When done right, smartsizing can be less about giving something up and more about gaining a home and a lifestyle that fits you just right.
Profit-Boosting Palettes
Want to make a great first impression? If you're preparing your home for resale or just looking for a refresh, consider these exterior color schemes to deliver an eye-catching look that elevates curb appeal.
Neutral hues like beige, warm gray, soft taupe, and creamy white have lasting charm and suit many architectural styles. These classic shades photograph well and provide a clean contrast to landscaping, creating a versatile backdrop for buyers as they begin to imagine the house as their own.
Bold accents, such as navy, burgundy, or charcoal, draw attention to focal points. Used on front doors, shutters, or trim, these daring tones offer pops of personality that can help your home stand out from the rest.
Earth tones of moss green, soft pinks, or blue-gray create a welcoming vibe. Inspired by nature, these calming colors evoke a sense of balance and tranquility, making a home feel like a peaceful oasis.
Buying your first home takes more than finding the right property — it also requires a well-thought-out financial plan. That's where a First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account (FHSA) can help.
Available in many states, these special savings accounts offer tax advantages that reward future homeowners for setting money aside before they buy. Rules vary by state, but the goal is the same: make homeownership more attainable. Here are some details about FHSAs.
Growing availability. States that currently offer FHSAs include Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Virginia. More states will begin in 2027.
No FHSA in your state yet? No problem. Even if your state doesn't offer an FHSA, there are often valuable programs designed to help first-time buyers, such as down payment assistance programs, low-interest loans, mortgage tax credits, and closing-cost assistance.
Before you begin house hunting, ask a real estate professional about the assistance available where you live. A little planning today could put you in your first home sooner than you think.
Better Yards Begin in the Fall
Whether your goal is to boost curb appeal to catch a buyer's eye or you simply want the best-looking yard on the block, fall lawn maintenance is essential. Cooler temperatures create ideal conditions for strengthening grass before winter.
Focus on key tasks like raking leaves, aerating compacted soil, overseeding areas where grass is thin, and fertilizing to encourage strong root growth. Edge beds and walkways, add fresh mulch to garden beds, prune shrubs and trees, and plant cool-season flowers. A little effort now will help your lawn and landscape stay healthy and vibrant.
If you're unsure where to start, your local garden center experts can give you advice for your lawn's specific needs.
Housing market conditions can shift over time as economic and local factors change. Follow the arrows to explore market trends.
- More homes may become available. → Improved inventory gives buyers more choices.
- Home values are expected to remain strong. → Prices may continue to rise, but at a more sustainable pace.
- Mortgage rates will continue to be a factor. → Stable rates may prompt some buyers to adjust their housing goals.
- Real estate remains a solid long-term investment. → Homeowners could gain additional housing wealth.
- Opportunities exist in every market. → No one knows your community like a local real estate agent.
