Downsizing.

That word strikes fear into the hearts of home buyers and sellers—but it shouldn’t—because moving to a smaller home should excite you and get you pumped up for the future, not twist your mind into a knot full of stress.

Some people move to a small house—and by small, we mean small(er) than your previous residence—not teeny tiny, too cramped for anyone to move past you in the kitchen, small. They move to a smaller house for simplicity, because they’re retiring, to free up equity or to protect themselves financially.

I promise you it’s not a bad thing, but I do understand your hesitation.

Who Downsizes?

People like you.

In 2011, Jane Johnson from Seattle traded 5,900 square feet for just 600 square feet of living space, according to this article from the Seattle Times.

“I wanted my move to feel lateral,” says Johnson. “I didn’t feel any loss of creature comforts.”

And Johnson isn’t alone:

During 2013, some 29 percent of repeat homebuyers downsized into a smaller home, which is an increase from about 22 percent in 2010, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. Such a maneuver is common for seniors and those who move into a 55-and-older or “active lifestyle” community, where designs are often deliberately smaller than the average American home size of about 2,300 square feet, according to the article.

“People in their 50s and 60s, even 70s, are downsizing now with the anticipation that they can stay in their downsized house longer than their current house, potentially forever,” says Armand Christopher, who has earned the Realtors’ Seniors Real Estate Specialist certification.

Times are changing. Downsizing isn’t just for retirees

Greg Bartell, a broker with RE/MAX Metro Realty who specializes in clients who are downsizing and also teaches classes on the subject, says he sees two types of downsizing:

In the first kind of downsizing, an empty-nester will move into a small space in a more walkable and urban setting.

In the second kind of downsizing, it is usually done out of necessity and frequently due to mobility, health or financial concerns.

Some Advice for Small House Goers

Only consider homes that are half the size of your current home. Condos and town houses are also good options—usually with luxury amenities already included.

Think about all the time and money you’ll save by downsizing. I’m sure you don’t like spending half the day cleaning a big house or stressing over your finances late at night when you should be preparing for that big meeting.

Downsizing your home is the first step to worry less.

But like every major decision, there are some questions you need to ask yourself first:

• Does size truly matter to me and why? We’re often programmed to think that bigger is better, but that’s not always the case.
• What will I miss if I choose to downsize? One thing’s for sure; you probably won’t miss cleaning or doing yard work for a bigger home.
• Consider other possible scenarios like your children moving back home or a relative needing a place to crash.