Downsize · Build · Renovate · Release Equity
Downsizing for Retirement: Unlock the Upside in Your Family Home
The kids have moved out and the house feels too big, too costly or too much work. Downsizing becomes a choice, not a necessity, when you plan for it.
We help you weigh every option: sell and downsize, build on your land, renovate to stay, or release equity, so your home funds the retirement you want.
Why plan ahead
Downsizing Is a Financial Decision, Not Just a Move
For most Australians the family home is their largest asset, and it often sits idle while retirement savings run thin. The people who plan their downsize early are better placed physically, emotionally and, most importantly, financially.
Picture where you want to live, what you want to live in and the lifestyle you want. Then work back to the strategy that gets you there.
Downsizer contribution rules per the ATO. A couple can contribute up to $600,000 combined. Eligibility conditions apply: check with your adviser.
Your options
Five Ways to Unlock Your Home’s Value
There is no one-size-fits-all downsize. Each path below suits a different stage of life, budget and goal.
Downsize & Boost Your Super
Sell the family home, buy something smaller and put up to $300,000 each into super with the downsizer contribution.
Downsizing & super
Build on Your Land
Add a backyard home, build a dual occupancy or develop the block, and stay in the area you love while you create equity.
Build a backyard home
Renovate for Retirement
Not ready to move? Renovate for easier living and future-proof the home, or add value before you sell.
Renovation options
Release Equity
Reverse mortgages and the Government’s Home Equity Access Scheme can free up cash while you stay put. Know the costs first.
Equity release explained
Sell Smarter
Find out what your home is worth, how to present it and whether to sell privately or through an agent.
What’s my home worth?
Invest Your Equity
Use the equity you unlock to buy an investment property that pays you an income in retirement.
properT network
Is it time?
Signs It May Be Time to Downsize
- The house is bigger than you need and rooms sit empty.
- Maintenance, rates and running costs are eating into your income.
- Stairs, a large garden or a long drive are getting harder to manage.
- You want to be closer to family, health care or the coast.
- Your super is lower than you’d like and the home holds most of your wealth.
- You still carry a mortgage you want gone before you retire.
How we work
Strategy Before Property
We start with you, not the house. Your goals decide the strategy, and the strategy decides whether you sell, build, renovate or release equity.
Your goals
Where and how you want to live, the income you need and your time frame.
Your numbers
What the home is worth, what each option costs and what it frees up.
Your options
Downsize, build, renovate or release equity, compared side by side.
Your plan
A clear plan, with trusted builders, agents, brokers and advisers on hand.
“Whenever you apply emotion to any decision, especially when it comes to investing, you’re guaranteeing yourself a lower return on investment, but only 100% of the time.”
A saying Stephen Lazar of properT network often shares (attributed to Brené Brown), because the family home is the most emotional decision of all.
Insights
Downsizing Guides
Your Guide to Downsizing
The steps, costs and decisions to work through before you move.
Super Benefits for Downsizers
How the downsizer contribution can lift your retirement savings.
Reverse Mortgage or Equity Release?
The questions to ask before you borrow against your home.
Retire Without a Mortgage
Using the family home to clear debt before retirement.
Developing Your Property
Turning a big block into more than one home.
A Better Way to Sell Your Home
Getting the best price when it’s time to sell.
No obligation
Not Sure Which Option Is Right for You?
Tell us about your home, your goals and your time frame, and Stephen Lazar will walk you through the options that fit.
One Network. Nationwide Reach.
Part Of The properT network Family
Downsizing for Retirement is one specialist site within the properT network group: the same independent advisory approach, applied across states and property types.