The Right-Size Roadmap™ Guide
A right-sizing guide for Burlington downsizers and empty nesters who want clarity — not chaos. Right-sizing is rarely just about the home. It’s about energy, ease, and making the next chapter feel lighter. The Right-Size Roadmap™ gives you a clear framework to sort through options, timing, costs, and the emotional side of leaving a home that has held a lot of life — without feeling rushed or pressured.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is a good fit if you’re:
🔹 Ready for simpler living but don’t want to make the wrong move
🔹 Feeling the weight of upkeep, stairs, snow, yardwork, or constant repairs
🔹 An empty nester who wants more freedom without giving up the lifestyle you still love
🔹Planning ahead so you can right-size on your timeline, not out of urgency
🔹Unsure whether a condo, bungalow, townhome, or rent-first strategy makes the most sense
🔹Wanting a clear plan before you start sorting, listing, or touring homes
What You’ll Learn Inside
✔ Lifestyle clarity
How to define what your next chapter should feel like, before choosing a home.
✔ Real monthly comfort
How to compare true “all-in” costs so your decision feels grounded, not stressful.
✔ Right-size options that actually fit
Condo, bungalow, townhome, rent-first, and how to choose what works for your day-to-day life.
✔ Timing that stays calm
A simple 90 to 180 day plan that protects your routine and your options.
✔ Decluttering without emotional overload
A process that creates momentum first, then handles sentimental items with less stress.Neighbourhoods, property types & realistic price points.
✔ Selling and Buying without regret
How to sell strategically (without over-renovating) and evaluate homes with confidence.
✔ Decision tools
Checklists and scorecards to keep choices clear, even when emotions run high.
The Right-Size Path:
1. Clarify what you want your next chapter to feel like
2. Understand your numbers and monthly comfort zone
3. Match your best-fit housing option
4. Build a calm right-size timeline
5. Reduce overwhelm and simplify the “stuff”
6. Sell smart with high-impact prep only
7. Buy right using a no-regret evaluation system
8. Move and settle with confidence
Why This Guide Matters
Right-sizing isn’t just a real estate decision. It’s a life decision.
Most downsizers and empty nesters feel pulled in two directions:
you want less responsibility and more freedom, but you don’t want to lose what your home represents, or make a choice you’ll regret.
And with so much advice online, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or stuck.
This guide changes that.
The Right-Size Roadmap™ gives you what most people are missing:
not more information, but a clear way to understand your options and move forward at a pace that feels right.
You’re not behind. You’re not supposed to know everything.
You just need a plan that feels calm and clear.
Clear information creates confident decisions.
Meet Your Guide
Right-sizing is a big move, and you deserve someone who can make it feel clear, calm, and strategic.
I’m Jen Warren, a Burlington-based Broker with RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc. With nearly 30 years of experience guiding clients through every type of market, my approach is simple:
combine smart strategy with steady support so you always know what comes next.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You just need the right guide.
What First-Time Buyers Say
“We didn’t feel pressured. We felt supported, prepared, and protected.”
— Nima & Lara
“I thought we would wait years. Once we mapped out timing and options, we realized we could right-size sooner, without rushing.”
— Tina & Frank
“Jen helped me focus on livability, not just looks. That saved me from a decision I would have regretted.”
— Leslie
Ready for a Clear Plan?
You don’t have to figure this out alone, and you don’t have to be “ready” to start.
A short Right-Size Strategy Call is often the simplest way to understand your options, timing, and next steps, without pressure.
On our call, we can:
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Review your goals and comfort zones
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Talk through monthly costs and timing
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Compare right-size options that fit your lifestyle
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Map out a clear next step, at your pace
Right-sizing isn’t about rushing.
It’s about knowing your options and protecting your peace of mind.
A Note On Pace
Some people right-size quickly. Others take time to think, prepare, and revisit decisions.
Both approaches are valid.
This guide is here to support clarity, not urgency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I sell first or buy first?
It depends on your comfort with risk, your timing, and what you’re moving into. Many right-sizers prefer selling first for clarity, but we plan around your priorities and options.
Is a condo actually easier?
It can be, but it’s not automatic. The unit is only half the decision. Building health, rules, fees, parking logistics, storage, and day-to-day access matter just as much.
Do I need to declutter everything before I list?
No. You need a strategic plan, not perfection. We focus on what impacts buyers most, and we build momentum without emotional overload.
What if I’m not ready yet?
That’s completely fine. Planning early gives you options and reduces stress later. Most people begin with questions, not certainty.
What if I move and feel lonely?
Right-sizing isn’t only about the home. It’s about the life around it. We factor in community, walkability, proximity to services, and what supports your day-to-day routine.
How long does right-sizing usually take?
A calm right-size move often takes 90 to 180 days from planning to move day, depending on prep, market conditions, and the type of home you’re moving to.
Guidance for downsizers and empty nesters in Burlington, Ontario and surrounding areas (Halton, Waterdown, Hamilton). The Right-Size Roadmap™ helps you understand your options, monthly comfort, timing, and smart right-sizing strategies so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.