Like the Chesapeake’s birds, the end of summer is a time when fledglings have left the nest and it’s a time of transformation and change.

Fall in the Chesapeake is a time of migration. For all the songbirds and osprey that have summered here and raised their young, it’s time to fatten up for their long flights south to overwinter and to leave their Bay nests behind. Huge murmurations of them pour through the beeches and oaks, noisily foraging on acorns and beechnuts by the thousands. Then, all of a sudden, they are gone.

We can learn some lessons about life’s changes, the turns of the season, and simplifying from our feathered friends. For many of us, our fledglings are now grown. Or our nests, once cozy, were built for a life that has transformed. If we’re not flying south this winter, it’s time to think about what nest is right for us, right now.

While comfortable family homes are perfect for a chapter in our lives, the extra space and extra maintenance cost time and money.

Smaller House, Smaller Budget

When it comes to sizing down to move up, one of the biggest benefits comes financially. A smaller home generally means a smaller monthly mortgage payment, less property taxes and reduced energy costs. With home costs down, you have more money to contribute to savings, retirement accounts, or even more money to pay off other debt. A smaller living space means less money spent on furnishings, and it also gives you the freedom to create the space you want to have rather than just filling a room with stuff.

Freedom of Choice

Freedom of choice is important for many homeowners. If you're rightsizing, you have a golden opportunity to reconsider where you want to live. The Eastern Shore of Maryland offers smaller homes with greater value than in metropolitan or suburban areas. Scaling your home’s footprint and relocating here means access to small town community events and entertainment, beautiful waterways, and wide open fields—not a traffic jam in sight.

Clients recently rightsized from this stunning waterfront home into a smaller home with water views, a pool, and $1 million dollars in profit from their investment.

Welcome to the World

Reduce your home size and upgrade your plane ticket. A smaller home can mean having more money to travel, more personal time to dedicate to hobbies or volunteering, an overall smaller carbon footprint, and a greater sense of adventure. Less house means more flexibility to see the world—especially easy on the Eastern Shore, with three major airports within a two hour radius.

Examples of rightsizing are common in the market right now—and with high demand for new properties, home owners can reap the benefits of an easier lifestyle while pocketing the return on their investment. A perfect example are two recent clients who recently listed their stunning waterfront home—which we knew would bring top dollar—and it was under contract in under a day! They are now buying a very nice home with a pool and water views on the golf course, for almost $1M less.

Rightsizing your home isn’t a small decision, but it can be a way to live more fully and find greater happiness in life. Whether you’re empty nesters or just in sight of retirement, downsizing can save money, provide new opportunities and freedom. A smaller home can often represent a bigger, more fulfilling life—especially here on the Eastern Shore, where the waterways and small towns are waiting for you.