Forget Downsizing: Why Luxury Buyers Are Rightsizing Instead

Lucía Torres · 2026-10-02

### The New Way to Move: Rightsizing Downsizing used to mean trading your big house for something smaller. But today's luxury buyers are doing something different. They're rightsizing—choosing a home that fits their life right now, not the life they had ten years ago. It's not about less space. It's about the right space. We talked to Aileen Comora, an award-winning real estate pro at The Agency and a native Angeleno, to understand how this shift is playing out in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Malibu. Her take? "Downsizing is simply going from a large home to a smaller home," she says. "Rightsizing is when a buyer is purchasing a home that fits their needs more intentionally, prioritizing features that they can manage and eliminating those they cannot." ### What's Driving the Shift? So why are so many affluent homeowners in their 50s and beyond making this move? According to Comora, it's a mix of factors. "For those in a higher wealth bracket, it's not necessarily a financial consideration," she explains. "It's a lifestyle choice where people are seeking specific features and amenities that have nothing to do with bedroom count or square footage." Maybe they want to travel more. Maybe they're done with yard work. Or maybe they just want a home that feels easier to live in. Whatever the reason, the goal is the same: a home that supports their next chapter, not one that holds them back. ### How Rightsizing Looks in Different Markets Comora works across some of LA's most iconic neighborhoods, and she says rightsizing looks different in each one. - **West Hollywood:** Buyers might trade a single-family home for a condo, or a multi-level townhouse for a single-level unit. Sometimes it's the reverse—they want more space but less maintenance. - **Beverly Hills:** Here, it's often about lock-and-leave luxury. They want a turnkey property with top-tier finishes and zero upkeep. - **Malibu:** Proximity to the beach is a big draw. Others want guard-gated communities where they can keep horses, like Serra Retreat. ### Privacy and Security for Entertainment Clients Many of Comora's clients work in entertainment, so privacy and security are non-negotiable. "Privacy is number one, and then style," she says. They might need a glam room with a separate entrance, a media room, or a private gym. It's not about square footage—it's about the right square footage. ### Turnkey and Low-Maintenance Without Sacrificing Luxury When clients say they want "turnkey" and "low-maintenance," they mean they don't want to build or remodel. They want to move in and start living. "Low maintenance is usually 'less to worry about,'" Comora notes. That could mean a smaller yard, no pool, or hardscape and patios instead of gardens and lawns. But luxury? That stays. ### The Misconception About Rightsizing One thing Comora often has to correct: square footage isn't everything. "Square footage is also measured differently by different professionals," she says. "Sometimes I will show a property on the higher end of square footage because it will feel different once inside the room." An open floor plan can feel bigger than a traditionally divided space with the same square footage. And the biggest lesson from her 40 years in the business? "Most buyers don't really know what they want," she admits. They see photos and get curious. That's why having a seasoned agent who understands rightsizing is key. ### The Bottom Line Rightsizing isn't about giving up luxury. It's about redefining it. It's about choosing a home that fits your life today—and tomorrow. Whether you're in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or Malibu, the right home is out there. You just have to know what you're looking for.