Downsize on your terms, not out of panic.

Can I still afford this house?

Start with the number that actually leaves your account each month: mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, and a realistic maintenance line (about 1% of the home's value, divided by 12). If that total is climbing past 35–40% of take-home pay, it's worth a closer look — not a panic.

Should I downsize?

Downsizing isn't only a financial question. It's also about the life the current house is asking you to lead — the rooms you no longer use, the maintenance you no longer want, the stairs that are getting steeper. Money and life usually point in the same direction, eventually.

Budget review

Before comparing houses, compare monthly totals. Include property taxes and HOA fees where they apply. A smaller home in a higher-tax area can cost more than a larger home somewhere else.

Selling vs. staying

Staying often looks cheaper in the short term because the transaction cost of moving is real (5–8% of sale price, plus moving costs). But staying in a home that's stretching you thin usually costs more over three to five years than a well-timed move.

The options, side by side