One of the most common downsizing mistakes is starting too late. Homeowners who give themselves only a few weeks end up making rushed calls about what to keep and what to ask for the house. Fred Gomberg, an SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach in Princeton, sees these mistakes cause the most trouble for Mercer County sellers:
Selling before there’s a plan for the next home. That can leave a seller paying for a short-term rental and storage while they figure it out.
Pricing off a neighbor’s sale from a few years ago. In Lawrence Township, average sale prices rose about 19% in 2024 and then held steady, according to Bright MLS. Old numbers can point a seller the wrong way.
Renovating right before listing. A new kitchen rarely pays for itself on a house the owner is leaving. Paint, repairs, and a deep clean usually do more.
Moving furniture that won’t fit. The dining set for twelve won’t work in a two-bedroom condo, and paying movers to haul it there costs money twice.
Telling family late. Adult children who hear about the sale at the last minute often slow things down with questions that could have been settled months earlier.
Choosing a 55+ community from the tour alone. HOA fees, rules, and resale history matter as much as the clubhouse does.
Most of these come back to time. A seller who starts six months to a year ahead has room to sort belongings, get a realistic price, and line up the next home without a scramble. For a Mercer County homeowner thinking about a smaller place, a conversation before anything gets listed is the easiest way to avoid all six.
