Less is more: How to downsize your life to free up cash

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A lot of the topics I cover are about increasing your finances. Bigger super balances, better savings, more money invested in shares, less tax (which means more money in your pocket, so it still counts). But when we get to a certain age, the adage “less is more” starts to ring true.

Do you really need that second car, or the extra credit card? And what about that pool in the backyard, or the empty third bedroom?

Downsizing can be a daunting prospect owing to the lack of smaller properties on the market.Credit: Aresna Villanueva

It’s little wonder then that there are 1.9 million eligible downsizers in Australia − people who are willing, able or aspiring to sell the family home and move into a smaller place. Plus, it’s an attractive prospect, freeing up money from your mortgage, lowering your bills, and letting you pick a place that works for exactly your needs, not the needs of since-departed children.

To be clear, downsizing isn’t just for your grey-haired retirement years, as there are many who opt to downsize during their midlife. But, generally, it’s an option pursued by those in, or very close to, retirement.

What’s the problem?

Alongside all the personal benefits, downsizing is a potential salve for the country’s festering housing crisis, as it frees up larger multi-bedroom homes for families, first home buyers and renters.

However, not enough of us are doing it, with older Australians either reluctant to do so or unable to, as supply of suitable apartments to downsize into are scarce, thanks to the aforementioned housing crisis.

The government is attempting to combat this by rolling out various incentives for downsizers, but for many, questions and trepidation still remain.

What you can do about it

If you’re thinking about downsizing in the future, here are some things to consider:

• Schemes and incentives: The biggest carrot enticing older Australians to downsize their homes is the recently introduced downsizer super contribution. Rolled out in January last year, the government scheme allows people over the age of 55 to use the proceeds from the sale of their main residence to make tax-free superannuation contributions, up to a whopping $300,000 per person, or $600,000 per couple. Mark Chapman, director of tax communications at H&R Block, says this is a major reason for considering downsizing, given the generous tax treatment. “This enables potential downsizers to not just downsize their property but to put any surplus funds left over into their superannuation fund, which will top up their retirement fund in a tax effective manner – contributions are not taxed and any growth in the fund once the contributions are in are taxed to the fund at just 15 per cent,” he says. You need to meet some requirements to be eligible for this concession, including having owned the dwelling for 10 or more years. Some states will also provide stamp duty concessions for downsizers, so check what’s available to you locally.

• Fees and costs: Selling a home is expensive and stressful at the best of times, and these feelings can be compounded later in life when you’re selling somewhere you’ve lived for years. Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton, mortgage broker at Two Red Shoes, says downsizers should factor in marketing and selling fees, including solicitor fees. “Then there are moving costs, the cost of repairs or renovations necessary for the sale and on the other side the purchase cost of a smaller home,” she says. Jarrett-Dalton says it can also be common for downsizers to need to borrow to buy their new home before their old home has sold, suggesting the use of bridging loans, which are often easy to get when buying a home outright. “This is a great tool that downsizers should definitely think about utilising,” she says.

• Pension impact: If you’re a pensioner considering downsizing, there is a chance the proceeds of the sale may reduce your fortnightly payments. It’s worth carefully running the numbers on this to determine how much less you could receive.

• Think about it carefully: In their recent book, Money regulars Rachel Lane and Noel Whittaker outline some of the more personal aspects to consider when you’re downsizing. “Knowing what you want to leave behind, what you want to keep and what you want to change helps you understand the driving force behind your decision,” they say. “You may want a different lifestyle and seek a ‘sea change’ or ‘tree change’, or you may simply want a low-maintenance home in your current community.” Part of this is determining where you’ll live, and how close you’ll be to various amenities, friends, and family in your older years. Thinking about the house itself and what it offers, especially as you get older and less mobile, is key, they say.

Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.