Many homeowners 55 and over find that the house is the hard part, not the moving. Stairs, snow, and upkeep add up.
A one-floor home with lawn and snow care included can be simpler to run, but only if the condo corporation is financially sound. Ask for the status certificate before you fall in love.
68% of baby boomers say a bungalow-style layout is important in their next home (Wahi/Angus Reid, 2025), and 49% of Canadians say downsizing options are scarce in their community (RE/MAX Canada, 2025). Good ones don't wait long, but you should never rush a decision this big.
I'm Ty Lacroix, a Broker in London with 24 years of experience. I'll walk you through the documents and the timing so you know exactly what you're buying and selling.
THE STORY
Margaret (a composite of several London homeowners I've worked with) called me in March. Her husband Don had shovelled the same long driveway for 31 winters. That February, he slipped on the ice.
He was fine. But they both stood at the window afterward and said the same thing at the same time: "We can't keep doing this."
They weren't ready to give up their space, or their privacy, or the second bedroom where the grandchildren sleep. They just wanted their Saturdays back.
Here's what I've learned from families like theirs. The move itself is rarely the hard part. The hard part is not knowing what to ask, who to trust, and whether the numbers will still work once the boxes are unpacked.
WHY THE HOUSE STARTS TO WORK AGAINST YOU
Falls cause 85% of injury-related hospital stays for Canadians 65 and over, and about half of those stays follow a fall at home (Public Health Agency of Canada). That doesn't mean a two-storey house is unsafe. It does mean that stairs, ice, and ladders deserve an honest look.
Then there's upkeep. Canadian homeowners are commonly advised to set aside 1% to 3% of their home's value every year for maintenance and repairs (Frank Mortgage, 2026). On a $569,000 home, that's roughly $5,690 to $17,070 a year.
WHAT ONE-FLOOR LIVING LOOKS LIKE IN LONDON
Take a bungalow townhome I'm currently representing at 72-869 Whetherfield Street in North West London:
1,793 finished square feet on the main floor, plus another 598 finished downstairs
Primary bedroom with ensuite, main-floor laundry, and a vaulted-ceiling living room, with no stairs needed for daily life
Four parking spaces (two in the garage, two in the driveway)
Furnace, A/C, and water heater all one year old, covered by a service contract
Condo fees of $475 a month, which includes landscaping and snow removal
That's $5,700 a year. A fair comparison matters here: the fee covers what the corporation looks after outside, and you still care for the inside of your home. But for many people, no longer owning a lawn mower or a snow shovel is worth a great deal.
The demand is real. 68% of baby boomers call a bungalow layout important, and 49% of Canadians say suitable downsizing options are hard to find where they live (Wahi/Angus Reid 2025; RE/MAX Canada 2025).
BEFORE YOU BUY INTO ANY CONDO COMMUNITY, ASK FOR THESE THREE THINGS
The status certificate. It shows the condo corporation's finances, any lawsuits, and any planned special charges. Your lawyer reviews it, and I make sure you have it early.
The reserve fund. It's the savings account for future big repairs like roofs and driveways. A healthy one means far less risk of a surprise bill. (The reserve fund in this community is very healthy.)
Exactly what the monthly fee covers. Get it in writing so you're comparing real costs.
IF YOU OWN A BIGGER HOME, THIS IS WHERE I HELP MOST
Selling your family home and buying the next one are two transactions that have to fit together. I help you decide which comes first, avoid paying for two homes at once, and protect the equity you've built over decades. Most agents skip that conversation. I start with it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a condo townhome bungalow?
It's a single-storey home in a condo community. You own your home, and the condo corporation looks after shared items like landscaping and snow removal, funded by monthly fees.
What is a status certificate?
It's a document from the condo corporation that shows its finances, rules, and any known problems. Your lawyer reviews it before you commit.
How much should I budget for upkeep on a detached home?
Commonly 1% to 3% of the home's value each year (Frank Mortgage, 2026).
LET'S TALK BEFORE YOU DECIDE
If your driveway, your stairs, or your Saturdays have you wondering, you don't need to commit to anything. Send me a note using the form below, or call my office. I'll tell you plainly whether your next move makes sense, what your home is worth, and how to protect what you've built.
Ty Lacroix, Broker, Envelope Real Estate Group. 24 years helping London homeowners sell and buy with confidence.
869 Whetherfield Street #72 London Ontario MLS# X13679594
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