Low-maintenance living, security, and quality fittings top downsizers’ wish lists, giving agents insights into what older buyers want in their next home.
New research highlighted a gap between the homes older Australians want and the available housing supply.
The research showed that low-maintenance living, security and proximity to amenities were among their top priorities.
The realestate.com.au GemLife Downsizing Australia 2026 report surveyed 2,100 respondents, including Australians aged over 50 looking to downsize.
The data found that 88 per cent of households with respondents aged 55 years or older had at least one spare bedroom, while 60 per cent had two or more.
Older Australians preferred two-bedroom homes, with half of respondents citing them as important, while a third prioritised three-bedroom homes.
However, just under half of homes built from 2016 to 2021 were one- to three-bedroom units or houses, reflecting a gap between housing supply and downsizing requirements.
Realestate.com.au Senior Economist Anne Flaherty said that while downsizing could unlock housing supply, a growing gap existed between available properties and downsizers' needs.
“Downsizing is more than simply moving into a smaller home. For many Australians, it is an opportunity to trade maintenance and unused space for greater comfort, convenience, and freedom,” she told REB.
The findings contrasted with younger households, with 32 per cent of those aged 25 to 54 having two or more spare bedrooms.
The data show older Australians were more likely to have already downsized, with 23 per cent of those aged 70 and older having made the move, compared with 15 per cent of 50- to 59-year-olds.
Those aged 70 and older were also less likely to consider moving in the next five years, at 18 per cent, compared with 27 per cent of both the 50- to 59-year-old and 60- to 69-year-old cohorts.
Family considerations could also influence the decision, with 66 per cent of downsizers with adult children saying their children had some influence on the move.
Practical and financial hurdles remained a concern, with 29 per cent of respondents put off by the hassle of moving and 26 per cent by stamp duty costs.
Flaherty said some older Australians were concerned their current homes were no longer suited to their needs, but were reluctant to leave their established communities.
“Are they going to be further away for family and friends? Those are some of the key concerns that people talk about,” she said.
The features driving demand
Low-maintenance living topped the list of priorities for a future home, with 79 per cent of downsizers identifying it as essential.
Security and peace of mind followed, cited by 62 per cent of respondents, while 61 per cent prioritised proximity to amenities.
Flaherty said the findings gave agents a clearer picture of what older buyers want, from lifestyle considerations to specific property features.
“People overwhelmingly are looking for low maintenance living and security, peace of mind, proximity to amenities,” she said.
Older Australians were also more likely than younger buyers to seek specific features, including garages, air-conditioning, double glazing and en suites.
For agents, Flaherty said that understanding these preferences could help narrow suitable listings, identify which features to highlight, and determine whether a home meets prospective downsizers' expectations.
She said buyers moving from a more expensive home to a lower-priced property could also have higher expectations around the quality of its fittings and fixtures.
“When people are downsizing, often they're selling a more expensive home to buy a lower priced home, which means that they're probably going to be looking for a better quality in terms of the fittings and the fixtures themselves,” she said.
While budget remained a key consideration, 26 per cent of respondents preferred not to exceed their limit when choosing their next home.
Some buyers were willing to stretch their budgets for certain features, with 22 per cent valuing air-conditioning, 19 per cent wanting a safe, quiet neighbourhood, and 18 per cent wanting solar energy.
Flaherty said agents could also help downsizers understand the range of housing options available, including over-50s lifestyle communities, and consider locations that suited their day-to-day needs.
She said access to family, friends, community, and healthcare remained as important as the property itself, making location a key consideration when helping downsizers find their next home.
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