Will Moving to a Smaller Denver-Area Home Free Up Money?

How can I use these findings?

Start with what the move should improve: stairs, upkeep, unused space, location or proximity to the people you want to see. Price actual alternatives that meet those needs and compare their taxes, insurance, association dues and maintenance with staying. Then estimate net sale proceeds and the cash required for the purchase. A smaller property can carry a higher price or different recurring expenses, so the square-footage change alone cannot establish savings.

Why compare buyer and seller shares cautiously?

The 13-point difference between Boomer seller and buyer shares describes two separately denominated groups. It does not establish that Boomers are net sellers, how many houses the group adds to inventory, or whether an individual sold before buying.

The presentation also cautions against equating a move with a smaller home. A home can fit changing needs through a different floor plan or maintenance arrangement without a reduction in square footage. Our data do not quantify that behavior locally.

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Sources: NAR 2026 Generational Trends release, April 15, 2026; NAR: Dr. Jessica Lautz, Leaders in Luxury presentation, October 12, 2026; underlying research resources

How much nominal purchase-price difference is visible?

The table subtracts each county median from the Boulder benchmark. It is an original geographic price comparison, not a modeled sale of a Boulder home and purchase of an equivalent property elsewhere.

A gross price gap is not cash released. Transaction costs, mortgage payoffs, the prices of actual properties and any work needed after moving can materially change proceeds and total expense.

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Sources: REcolorado / InfoSparks: September 2026 monthly county single-family-residence snapshot; extracted October 12, 2026

What should a rightsizing study avoid claiming?

It should not assume that older sellers want less space or that lower price means lower upkeep. County boundaries do not identify a main-floor bedroom, accessibility, condition, maintenance responsibility or proximity to a person’s family.