The traditional idea of downsizing is evolving. Rather than simply choosing smaller homes, many of today’s mature homeowners are “rightsizing,” prioritizing turnkey design, privacy, and unique amenities without sacrificing luxury or location. These buyers have moved past the “family home” life stage and are seeking properties that can suit their evolving goals and personal interests.
We spoke with The Agency’s Aileen Comora, an award-winning real estate professional and a native Angeleno, to examine how this shift is playing out across West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Malibu—particularly among entertainment industry clients entering their next chapter.
How would you define “rightsizing” for clients? And how does it differ from the traditional idea of downsizing?
Downsizing is simply going from a large home to a smaller home. 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, like a large yard or pool.
What’s driving the rightsizing shift among affluent homeowners in their 50s and beyond? Is it about lifestyle, finances, or something else entirely?
In my opinion, after almost 40 years in the industry, it’s a combination of all of those factors of life. For those who are in a higher wealth bracket, it’s not necessarily a financial consideration (although finances are always a consideration!) but a lifestyle choice where people are seeking specific features and amenities that have nothing to do with bedroom count or square footage. Perhaps the thought is to travel more and therefore the “rightsizing” means less upkeep and a much more manageable home to leave when traveling.
You work across West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Malibu. How does rightsizing look different in each of these markets?
For West Hollywood, it might be going from a home to a condominium, or a townhouse to a single level, or even the reverse.
In Malibu, rightsizing might mean wanting to be within closer proximity to the beach, or they might want to be in an area where they can keep horses that is guard-gated, like the Serra Retreat community.
“Downsizing is simply going from a large home to a smaller home. 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.”
Aileen Comora
Entertainment industry clients often have unique needs around privacy and security. How does that shape what they’re looking for when they rightsize?
Privacy is number one, and then style. A client might also need specific spaces such as a glam room that has a separate entrance, a media room, or a gym.
When a client says they want “turnkey” and “low-maintenance” without sacrificing luxury, what does that translate to in terms of home features or amenities?
Turnkey means they don’t want to do any building or remodeling or building, besides decorating—usually they want to move right in. Low maintenance is usually “less to worry about,” a smaller yard, maybe no pool, hardscape & patios instead of gardens/lawn.
What’s a misconception clients have about rightsizing that you often find yourself correcting?
Every situation is different. Square footage is also measured differently by different professionals (interior designers, architects, appraisers), so sometimes I will show a property on the higher end of square footage because it will feel different once inside the room. An example would be an open floor plan vs. traditionally dedicated rooms.
The most important thing I have learned over these years is that most buyers don’t really know what they want. They will see photos and be curious to look at a home, and then the discussion gets more specific. It’s a learning process no matter how sophisticated a buyer might be, but that’s what I’m here for.
For more insight into current market trends, browse our other In the Knows: Spotlight on the Newport Beach Real Estate Scene and A Closer Look at Martha’s Vineyard’s Dynamic Real Estate Scene
