How to Plan for Aging in Place, Downsizing, or a Future Move
By Helen Keit, CSA, SRES®
Broker | Certified Senior Advisor | Seniors Real Estate Specialist
More Than 80% of Homeowners Hope to Age in Place—But Is Your Home Ready for the Years Ahead?
More than 80% of homeowners say they hope to age in place, remaining in the home they know and love for as long as possible.
For many people, that’s exactly the right choice.
But planning for the future isn’t simply about staying in the same home. It’s about making sure your home continues to support your health, independence, financial well-being, and quality of life as your needs evolve.
Where we live affects how we age.
Our home, access to healthcare, transportation, emotional support, financial stability, and opportunities for social interaction all contribute to our overall well-being and longevity.
That’s why one of the most important questions you can ask yourself is:
“Will my current home still be the best place for me in the years ahead?”
Whether you live in Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island, or elsewhere in the New York metropolitan area, taking time to think about the future today gives you something invaluable:
Options.
The earlier you begin planning, the more control you’ll have over your future—and the less likely you’ll be forced to make important decisions during a stressful or unexpected life event.
If you’re new to our team, Meet the Keit Team: Trusted Queens Real Estate Advisors for Life’s Biggest Transitions, to learn more about our specialized approach to helping families navigate life’s biggest transitions.
Why Where You Live Matters
Home is much more than the roof over your head.
It’s where memories are made.
It’s where grandchildren visit.
It’s where holidays are celebrated.
It’s where life happens.
But as we move into the next chapter of life, our housing needs often begin to change.
The right home isn’t simply the one you’ve lived in the longest.
It’s the one that continues to support:
- Your physical health
- Your independence
- Your emotional well-being
- Your finances
- Your relationships
- Your lifestyle
That’s why I prefer saying:
Where you choose to live in the years ahead matters.
Life Changes—Even When We Don’t Expect It
Most people purchase a home based on what works for their lives today.
Very few buy a home thinking about what life may look like ten or twenty years from now.
Yet circumstances change.
Health Changes
A staircase you’ve climbed thousands of times may eventually become difficult.
A large yard may become exhausting to maintain.
Bathrooms may need accessibility improvements.
The home that once fit your family perfectly may no longer fit your lifestyle.
Financial Changes
An older home often requires significant maintenance.
Unexpected expenses like:
- A new roof
- Heating system replacement
- Air conditioning
- Plumbing repairs
- Exterior maintenance
can create stress—especially during retirement.
At this stage, many homeowners begin asking:
“Should I continue investing in this home, or would another home better support my financial goals?”
This is also an excellent time to understand the equity you’ve built over the years.
📍 What Is Your Home Worth Today?
Even if you have no plans to move anytime soon, knowing your home’s current market value gives you more information to plan confidently.
👉 “Get Your Free Home Value Estimate”
Many homeowners are surprised by how much equity they’ve accumulated—and that equity can create opportunities they hadn’t considered.
Social Changes
Neighborhoods evolve.
Friends relocate.
Children move away.
Daily interactions become less frequent.
For many homeowners, isolation becomes just as important a consideration as finances.
When evaluating your future housing options, ask yourself:
- Will I have opportunities to socialize?
- Are my family members nearby?
- Can I easily access transportation?
- Am I close to healthcare?
Think Five to Ten Years Ahead
One of the best planning habits is asking:
“What could my life realistically look like five years from now?”
As we age, thinking in three- to five-year increments often becomes even more valuable.
Consider:
- Will this home still work physically?
- Will I still enjoy maintaining it?
- Is it financially sustainable?
- Will I have access to the healthcare I need?
- Does it support the lifestyle I want?
Planning isn’t expecting the worst.
Planning creates options.
Explore Your Options Before You Need Them
One of the biggest mistakes families make is waiting until a crisis forces a decision.
Instead, begin exploring possibilities now.
Visit:
- Active adult communities
- Condominiums
- Smaller homes
- Retirement communities
- Independent living communities
- Assisted living communities
Talk with friends.
Visit open houses.
Take tours.
Imagine yourself living there—not just on move-in day, but on an ordinary Tuesday morning.
What would your daily life actually look like?
If you’re considering relocating—whether it’s closer to family, to another state, or simply to a home that’s easier to maintain— “Relocating After 50? How to Plan a Stress-Free Move from Queens, Long Island, or NYC to Your Next Home” offers additional planning tips to help you prepare.
Have the “70/40 Conversation”
One of the most valuable conversations families can have is what professionals often call the 70/40 Conversation.
When parents are in their 70s and children are in their 40s, it’s often a calm period—not an emergency.
This is the perfect opportunity to discuss:
- Future housing preferences
- Healthcare wishes
- Estate planning
- Financial planning
- Long-term care
- End-of-life wishes
Waiting until a medical crisis often results in rushed decisions, unnecessary stress, and greater vulnerability to fraud or financial mistakes.
Planning early gives everyone greater peace of mind.
If your family is also considering whether living together could provide additional support, you may find “Why Multigenerational Home Buying Is on the Rise—and What Buyers in Queens, Long Island and Brooklyn Should Know” helpful.
Build Your Professional Team Early
You shouldn’t have to navigate these decisions alone.
The best outcomes often come from having the right professionals working together.
Your planning team may include:
- Elder law attorney
- Estate planning attorney
- Financial advisor
- CPA
- Geriatric care manager
- Elder care advocate
- Senior Real Estate Specialist
- Licensed contractor
- Move manager
At the Keit Team, we also coordinate with trusted professionals through our Keit Team Concierge Services, helping connect clients with reputable movers, organizers, contractors, and other service providers to make each transition as smooth as possible.
Aging in Place Isn’t the Only Successful Outcome
Many people believe success means staying in their current home forever.
Sometimes it does.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
The real goal is living somewhere that supports your:
- Independence
- Safety
- Happiness
- Health
- Finances
- Relationships
For some families that means modifying their current home.
For others, it means downsizing.
For others, moving closer to children.
For others, relocating to another state.
There is no universal answer.
Only the answer that’s right for you.
If selling your current home and purchasing another is part of your long-term plan, you may also enjoy reading “How Do You Sell Your Current Home and Buy Your Next One at the Same Time?”, where we discuss strategies to make that transition as seamless as possible.
How the Keit Team Helps Families Plan for the Future
Planning a move later in life is about much more than buying or selling a house.
It’s about creating a plan.
As a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), my role is to help families understand their options, connect them with trusted professionals, and guide them through one of life’s biggest transitions with compassion, patience, and expertise.
Whether you’re:
- Planning to age in place
- Thinking about downsizing
- Helping aging parents
- Exploring retirement communities
- Preparing for assisted living
- Relocating closer to family
our goal is to provide education—not pressure—so you can make confident decisions on your own timeline.
To learn more about the specialized resources available to older adults and their families, visit our “50+ Lifestyle Moves Program” page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does aging in place mean?
Aging in place means remaining in your current home while making any necessary adjustments so it continues to support your safety, independence, and quality of life as your needs change.
When should I begin planning to downsize?
Ideally, before you need to. Planning early provides more housing choices, better financial options, and significantly less stress.
What is the 70/40 Conversation?
The 70/40 Conversation is a proactive discussion between parents (typically in their 70s) and adult children (often in their 40s) about future housing, healthcare, finances, and long-term wishes before a crisis occurs.
Should I age in place or move?
Every family is different. The best decision depends on your health, finances, home layout, support network, and personal goals. Exploring your options early allows you to choose what best fits your lifestyle.
Start Planning Today for Peace of Mind Tomorrow
Whether you’re 58 or 85, the best time to begin planning is before you need to make a decision.
Taking time today to think about your housing, finances, healthcare, and future goals can help ensure that your next chapter is lived with confidence, comfort, and peace of mind.
If you’re wondering whether your current home will continue to meet your needs—or you’d simply like to understand your options—we’d be honored to help.
📞 Call the Keit Team: 917-887-4924
📧 Email: helen.keit@kw.com
Helen Keit
Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker
Certified Relocation Professional
Global Mobility Specialist
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®
Certified Luxury Homes Marketing Specialist
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Realtor Short Sale Professional
The Keit Team at Keller Williams Realty Landmark
917.887.4924
helen.keit@kw.com
www.KeitTeam.com
Curious about what your home could be worth?
Knowing your home’s value is one of the first steps in understanding your options.
👉 Get Your Free Home Value Estimate