There is a common misconception that Realtors are only interested in making buyers spend more money as a way to increase their commission checks, but this is hardly the case. In this referral-driven business, the best real estate agents want to do whatever they can to make their clients happy. They are building relationships that result in referrals and future business, and this means ensuring satisfied clients.

If you’re thinking about downsizing your home, one of your first steps should be speaking with top real estate agents to discuss the benefits of downsizing, as well as what you can expect to find in your preferred area and your price range. Here are just a few reasons you might want to downsize.

1. Empty Nest

One of the most common reasons for downsizing is a lack of people to fill the space. When you’re starting a family, you naturally want to purchase a larger home to accommodate growing children.

Once they head off to college and enter adulthood, however, you’ll find yourself cleaning, heating, and supporting a lot of empty space you no longer need. This is a waste of time and money. So it’s no surprise that empty nesters are eager to find the best Realtor to help them trade a large home for something smaller.

2. Simplify Your Lifestyle

Over a lifetime (or even just a few years), the average homeowner accumulates a lot of stuff. A larger house needs more stuff to fill it. This means more cleaning, maintenance, and, undoubtedly, added expense.

If you’re tired of the demands of a large house, the concept of simplification may sound pretty appealing. You’ve no doubt heard the old adage about how the stuff you own ends up owning you. When working with one of the best estate agents to partner on your housing needs, they will undoubtedly tell you that less stuff equals more freedom.

3. Reduce Costs

A larger home is naturally more expensive to support than a smaller one. Between the mortgage, taxes, and insurance, you’re already spending a lot of dough. Then there are utilities, maintenance, and the cost of furnishing and cleaning your home to consider.

Don’t forget the accumulation of stuff. Just think of all the things you buy for your home that you might not purchase if you had less space. Long story short – smaller spaces cost less all around.

4. Save Time

Time is something none of us ever have enough of. A smaller home requires less time commitment. Just think about the seconds wasted traversing a large space, or the minutes and hours spent on cleaning and maintenance.

It doesn’t sound like much, but when you add it up over the years of a lifetime, you stand to save a lot of time by switching to a smaller home.

5. Cut Your Carbon Footprint

Large homes require more gas and electricity to heat, cool, and illuminate. Even if you’re not necessarily in the market for a green home, the best real estate agent can help you to downsize to a smaller property that helps you to cut your carbon footprint without even trying.

If you are buying or selling a house and are looking to hire a successful real estate agent to help you through the process, take a look at AgentHarvest's list of top-ranking local Realtors in your area. We found these agents by examining their sales track records, awards, rankings, client testimonials and by conducting personal interviews.