Stephanie Pinet, Broker of Record | REALTY HUB ONTARIO INC. | Office 289-819-1118 | Cell 905-630-8255 | Email us
The Downsizing Guide for Burlington, Grimsby and Niagara
Thinking about a smaller home, less upkeep or a move closer to family? This free 14-page guide walks you through the whole decision in plain language, with official sources for every figure.
- When downsizing makes sense, and when it may not
- The real costs of selling and moving, including Ontario land transfer tax on your next home
- Housing options: condos, bungalows, townhomes, life leases, 55+ communities and retirement residences
- How homes break down in Burlington, Grimsby and Lincoln (2021 Census)
- A 12-month timeline, a printable checklist and a decluttering plan
- Tax and equity basics to review with your accountant and lawyer
The Realty Deal
The Downsizing
Guide
Burlington · Grimsby · Niagara
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Stephanie Pinet, Broker of Record
REALTY HUB ONTARIO INC.
Office 289-819-1118 | Cell 905-630-8255 | Email us
Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with a brokerage.
REALTY HUB ONTARIO INC.
Office 289-819-1118 | Cell 905-630-8255 | Email us
Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with a brokerage.
Is it time to downsize?
There’s no right age. The best time is usually when your home no longer fits the way you live. A few signs worth noticing:
Rooms you rarely use
You’re heating, cleaning and insuring space that mostly holds furniture and boxes.
Upkeep that feels heavier
Stairs, yard work, snow and repairs take more time and energy than they used to.
Equity you’d like to use
Your home may be your largest asset. Moving to a smaller place can free up part of that value for the next stage.
The guide includes a short self-check and the questions to ask before you decide, including how you’d like to own your next home and what you’d net after costs.
What it costs to sell and move
Your sale price isn’t what you walk away with. Before you set a budget for your next home, plan for:
- Commission: negotiable and set out in your listing agreement (RECO). HST of 13% applies to real estate commission in Ontario (CRA).
- Legal fees for both the sale and the purchase.
- Mortgage payout: breaking a mortgage early may trigger a prepayment penalty (Financial Consumer Agency of Canada).
- Land transfer tax on your next home: Ontario’s Ministry of Finance gives the example that a $400,000 purchase carries $4,475 in land transfer tax (updated April 22, 2026).
- Moving, storage and any overlap in housing costs.
The guide lays out the full Ontario rate table and a worksheet so you can see your net before you buy.
The latest market numbers (August 2026)
$875,700
Burlington composite MLS® HPI benchmark, +0.2% from July, −1.7% from August 2025
$678,400
Niagara North (Grimsby, Lincoln, West Lincoln) composite benchmark, +0.3% from July, −7.1% from August 2025
4.4
months of supply across Hamilton-Burlington-Haldimand-Niagara North, down from 4.6 in July
Source: Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®, “Cornerstone Real Estate Market Update: August 2026,” published September 3, 2026. A benchmark describes a typical home, not any specific property.
The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by CREA and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA.
Where downsizers look
Condominium apartments
Burlington has the widest choice: 12,830 of its 73,180 occupied homes were in buildings of five or more storeys in the 2021 Census. Always review the status certificate with your lawyer.
Bungalows and townhomes
One-floor living or a smaller freehold or condo town. In Grimsby, 2,605 of 11,395 occupied homes were row houses in 2021.
55+ communities and life leases
These can be freehold, condominium, life lease or land lease. The ownership model decides what you pay and how you resell. Ontario’s life lease guide is a good starting point.
Source: Statistics Canada, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population: Burlington (CY), Grimsby (T).
How the guide helps you plan
1Decide if it’s time
Use the self-check and cost worksheet to test your reasons and your numbers.
2Explore your options
Compare home types and communities across Burlington, Grimsby and West Niagara.
3Plan the move
Follow the 12-month timeline, printable checklist and room-by-room decluttering plan.
The guide provides general information only. It isn’t legal, tax or financial advice; please confirm details with your lawyer, accountant and lender.
About Stephanie
I’m Stephanie Pinet, a full-time REALTOR® since 2014 and Broker of Record at REALTY HUB ONTARIO INC. I served as a Board Director with the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) from 2018 to 2021. I help homeowners in Burlington, Grimsby and West Niagara sell well and move into a home that fits the next stage of life, at a pace that feels right.
Ready to plan your next chapter?
Get the free guide, or reach out if you’d like a price range for your current home and an estimate of what you might net.
Stephanie Pinet, Broker of Record | REALTY HUB ONTARIO INC. | Office 289-819-1118 | Cell 905-630-8255
Your information is kept private and never sold. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with a brokerage.