Downsizing Without Debt: Why More Homeowners Are Buying Their Next Home in Cash

If you’re thinking about downsizing in Connecticut, to lower your monthly expenses, simplify your lifestyle, or move closer to family. There’s a major trend you should know about:

✅ More homeowners are buying their next home in cash.

✅ No mortgage. No monthly payment. No debt in retirement.

And if you’ve owned your home for several years, you may be in a position to do the same, without even realizing it.

A Record Percentage of Homeowners Are Mortgage-Free

According to a recent ResiClub analysis of U.S. Census data, over 40% of owner-occupied homes in America are mortgage-free.
That’s the highest share ever recorded.

Why is this happening?
A big factor is demographics: many Baby Boomers have owned their homes long enough to fully pay off their mortgages, giving them tremendous equity and purchasing power.

If you fall into this group, or if you’re close, you may have more options (and more financial freedom) than you realize.

How Downsizers Are Turning Equity Into Cash Purchases

As a homeowner, your equity is your biggest financial advantage, especially in today’s Connecticut housing market.

If your current home is paid off, or nearly paid off, you may be able to:

✅ Sell your home
✅ Use the equity
✅ Buy your next house entirely in cash

And the benefits of buying a home with no mortgage are huge:

• Zero monthly housing payment

• Lower expenses in retirement

• Less financial stress as you age

• More cash flow for travel, hobbies, and family

• A smoother, faster transaction

In fact, a recent survey from John Burns Research & Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) shows that all-cash buyers are increasing in nearly every region of the country. Downsizers, especially Baby Boomers, are leading that trend.

Why Buying in Cash Makes Sense for Downsizers

For many homeowners I work with at Joseph Malerba Real Estate, downsizing isn’t about having less, it’s about gaining more:

✨ More freedom
✨ More flexibility
✨ More financial breathing room
✨ More time to enjoy what matters most

When you downsize to a smaller, more affordable home, you reduce maintenance, lower utility costs, and simplify your lifestyle, all without giving up comfort.

And when you buy in cash?
You eliminate one of the biggest financial burdens people carry into retirement: a mortgage payment.

Downsizing Isn’t Downgrading… It’s Upgrading Your Life

Whether you’re moving to be closer to family, looking for a low-maintenance home, or planning for retirement years, downsizing can dramatically improve your quality of life.

As a Realtor in Connecticut with eXp Realty, I help homeowners understand:

• How much equity they actually have

• What their home could sell for in today’s market

• Whether they can realistically buy their next home in cash

• Which downsizing options fit their lifestyle and long-term goals

Most homeowners are shocked, in a good way, when they learn how much equity they’ve built and what that equity could unlock.

The Takeaway

You’ve worked hard for your home. Now your home can work hard for you.

If you’re even considering downsizing in the next 12–24 months, the first step is understanding your current home value and how much equity you truly have.

Let’s connect so I can prepare a free equity analysis and help you explore what buying your next home in cash could look like.

📲 Contact Joseph Malerba | Realtor in Connecticut | eXp Realty
Your trusted guide for downsizing, selling, and building long-term financial freedom through smart real estate decisions.