Luxury Buyers Are 'Rightsizing'—Here's What That Really Means

Lucía Torres · 2026-10-02

### The New Way to Move: Rightsizing Downsizing used to mean one thing: trading a big house for a smaller one. But for today's affluent homeowners, that definition feels outdated. Instead, they're "rightsizing"—choosing a home that fits their life intentionally, not just a smaller footprint. "Downsizing is simply going from a large home to a smaller home," says Aileen Comora, an award-winning real estate professional with The Agency and a native Angeleno. "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." That might mean ditching the sprawling lawn and pool for a lock-and-leave condo. Or swapping a multi-story townhouse for a single-level retreat. The goal isn't less luxury—it's more freedom. ### What's Driving the Shift? After nearly 40 years in the business, Comora has seen it all. She says the rightsizing trend among homeowners in their 50s and beyond isn't just about money. It's a mix of lifestyle, finances, and personal goals. For those in higher wealth brackets, it's often a lifestyle choice. They want specific amenities that have nothing to do with bedroom count or square footage. Maybe they plan to travel more, so they want less upkeep. A manageable home means they can lock up and leave without worry. ### How Rightsizing Looks in Different Markets Comora works across West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Malibu, and she's noticed that rightsizing takes different forms depending on the neighborhood. - **West Hollywood:** Moving from a single-family home to a condominium, or from a townhouse to a single-level unit. Sometimes it's even the reverse—trading a condo for a house with more privacy. - **Malibu:** Buyers might want to be closer to the beach, or they might seek a guard-gated community 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 top priorities. "Privacy is number one, and then style," she says. They often need specific spaces: - A glam room with a separate entrance - A media room - A private gym These features let them live and work comfortably without sacrificing seclusion. ### What 'Turnkey' and 'Low-Maintenance' Really Mean When clients say they want turnkey and low-maintenance without giving up luxury, Comora translates that into concrete features. Turnkey means no building or remodeling—just decorating and moving in. Low-maintenance means less to worry about: a smaller yard, maybe no pool, and hardscape patios instead of gardens and lawns. ### A Common Misconception One thing Comora often corrects is the idea that square footage tells the whole story. "Square footage is measured differently by different professionals—interior designers, architects, appraisers," she explains. "Sometimes I'll show a property on the higher end of square footage because it will feel different once inside the room." An open floor plan, for example, can feel larger than a traditionally divided layout. After decades in real estate, Comora has learned one universal truth: most buyers don't really know what they want until they see it. They browse photos, get curious, and then fall in love with a space that feels right—not just one that fits a size. > "The most important thing I have learned over these years is that most buyers don't really know what they want." — Aileen Comora So if you're considering a move, maybe it's time to stop thinking about downsizing and start thinking about rightsizing. Your next chapter might not be smaller—just smarter.