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320 Tudor Court
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Ron Ehlers
Thinking about leaving a larger Deerfield home for something easier to manage? You are not alone. Downsizing can reduce upkeep, simplify daily life, and potentially lower monthly carrying costs, but it also comes with important choices about timing, floor plans, taxes, and fees. This guide will help you think through one-level living in Deerfield with a practical, step-by-step approach. Let’s dive in.
Deerfield has a housing stock that still leans heavily toward detached single-family homes, with CMAP estimating 75.3% of homes are single-family detached. That matters because many longtime owners are living in homes built for a different stage of life, often with more space than they use every day.
The local numbers also show why downsizing is a real financial conversation. Census QuickFacts reports a median owner-occupied home value of $623,400, along with median monthly owner costs of $3,731 with a mortgage and $1,500+ without one. If your current home feels expensive to maintain, a smaller or more efficient property may bring welcome relief.
Deerfield also has a meaningful share of older residents. Census data shows 19.8% of the population is age 65 and over, which helps explain why one-level living is a common goal for homeowners planning a simpler next chapter.
One-level living does not always mean the same thing as “condo” or “townhome.” In practical terms, it usually means your main daily spaces are on one floor, including the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry when possible.
In Deerfield, your likely options include ranch-style detached homes, condominium flats, and some townhomes or villa-style properties with first-floor living. The key is to look closely at the floor plan rather than assume every attached home is truly single-level.
That detail matters more than many buyers expect. A beautiful home may still include interior stairs to the garage, laundry area, or primary bedroom, so it is smart to focus on how you will actually live in the space each day.
Village planning materials show Deerfield already has several established attached-home communities. These include Deerfield Crossing Condos, Coromandel, South Commons, and Barclay Lane Townhomes.
That does not mean every unit in those communities offers true one-level living. It does mean Deerfield already has the housing ingredients that many downsizers want, especially if you are looking for less exterior maintenance and a more compact layout.
A ranch home can be a strong fit if you want privacy, your own yard, and fewer stairs. You may still need to evaluate basement access, laundry placement, and exterior upkeep, but the single-floor layout is often the main draw.
This option can feel familiar if you are moving from a larger detached house and want to keep more independence. It may also be a good match if you still want some storage, outdoor space, or room for guests without committing to a full-size family home.
Condo flats are often the clearest path to one-level living. Daily living spaces are typically on one floor, and this can make the home easier to navigate and easier to maintain.
For many downsizers, the tradeoff is worthwhile. You may give up some private outdoor space or storage, but you may gain convenience, simpler upkeep, and a lower purchase price than a detached home.
Some townhomes or villa-style homes can work well if the main bedroom and key living areas are on the first floor. These homes can offer a middle ground between a detached house and a condo flat.
Still, this is where floor plans matter most. Some units live like one-level homes, while others require regular stair use, so it helps to review each layout carefully before making assumptions.
If you are downsizing, you are usually selling one home and buying another, so both sides of the market matter. MRED’s May 2026 update shows detached homes in Deerfield had a trailing 12-month median sales price of $755,000, received 101.1% of original list price, and averaged 32 days on market.
Attached homes posted a trailing 12-month median sales price of $364,000, received 98.6% of original list price, and averaged 24 days on market. Inventory at the end of May 2026 was 29 detached homes and 9 attached homes, though MRED notes that monthly swings can look extreme because the sample sizes are small.
The practical takeaway is simple. Well-positioned homes have been finding buyers, and attached inventory is not abundant. If you are planning a move, pricing, preparation, and timing all matter.
Before you tour properties, it helps to build a simple monthly budget for both homes. Downsizing is not just about sale price. It is about what you keep, what you spend, and how your day-to-day costs change.
Look at the full picture:
Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 6.49% on June 25, 2026. If you expect to finance your next home, even partially, that rate environment should be part of your planning.
Many downsizers are happy to trade some independence for less maintenance, but it is important to compare monthly costs honestly. Condo and HOA dues are usually paid directly to the association and are generally not included in your mortgage servicer payment.
That means a home with a lower purchase price may still carry a meaningful monthly obligation. When you compare options, ask what the dues cover and how they change your total housing cost, not just your mortgage payment.
Property taxes can change when you downsize, and exemptions are an important part of that conversation. Lake County advises homeowners to review assessment notices and tax bills for accuracy, use exemptions if eligible, and appeal if they believe a property is over-assessed.
If you are 65 or older, the Lake County Senior Homestead Exemption lowers equalized assessed value by $8,000 for eligible owners who live in the home as their principal residence. It may be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Exemption.
One detail is especially important for downsizers. Lake County says exemptions do not transfer to newly assigned PINs, so if you move into a new home, you need to apply again for the new property if you qualify.
Lake County also points eligible seniors to the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze and the Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program. If taxes are part of your downsizing goal, these programs are worth reviewing as part of your planning.
A high sale price does not automatically mean a large check at closing. What matters is your net proceeds after paying off your mortgage, covering closing costs, and accounting for any work you choose to do before listing.
Freddie Mac notes that real estate commission is typically one of the largest seller costs. That is why the right pre-listing strategy matters. The goal is not just to sell, but to make smart choices that improve your final outcome.
A simple net sheet usually includes:
Once you know your likely net, it becomes much easier to set a realistic purchase budget for your next home.
Downsizing works best when it is treated as a sequence, not a rush decision. Freddie Mac recommends preparing a home to sell by decluttering, repairing, and staging, which is especially important if you are selling a larger family home to buyers comparing multiple options.
This stage often helps downsizers twice. First, it can improve presentation and marketability. Second, it gives you a head start on sorting what you want to keep, donate, store, or pass along before your move.
A practical pre-listing checklist includes:
If your home would benefit from updates before listing, having project coordination and a clear plan can help you improve presentation without losing momentum.
This is one of the most common downsizing questions, and the answer depends on your finances, your risk tolerance, and the options available in the market. In Deerfield, limited attached inventory can make it harder to find the right next home quickly.
Selling first can give you clarity on your budget and reduce financial overlap. Buying first can give you more control over your move, but it may create pressure if your current home does not sell as quickly as expected.
In a market where detached homes have recently sold near original list price and attached inventory remains relatively tight, coordination matters. A well-planned sequence can reduce stress and help you avoid making a decision you feel forced into later.
If you want to simplify the process, break it into manageable steps. That keeps the move from feeling overwhelming and helps you make decisions in the right order.
Start with your current mortgage balance, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and utility costs. Then compare those numbers with what you expect to pay in your next home, including HOA dues if they apply.
Decide what one-level living means for you. You may want no interior stairs at all, a first-floor primary suite, attached parking, elevator access, or lower-maintenance living.
Estimate net proceeds, identify any pre-sale improvements, and create a pricing strategy based on today’s Deerfield market. This is where smart preparation can support a better result.
Focus on floor plans first, not just property type. A smaller detached ranch, condo flat, or first-floor-living townhome may all be worth considering depending on your goals.
Map out listing timing, expected market exposure, your next-home search, and closing logistics. Freddie Mac notes that the sale process ends with mortgage payoff, receiving proceeds, and handing over the keys, which is why every step should be sequenced in advance.
Downsizing is rarely just a real estate transaction. It is a financial decision, a lifestyle change, and often an emotional transition from a home you have owned for years.
That is why a calm, practical plan matters. In Deerfield, you have real options for one-level living, but the best outcome usually comes from combining market timing, smart preparation, realistic budgeting, and careful purchase planning.
If you are weighing a move, Ron Ehlers can help you evaluate your sale, identify practical one-level options, and build a step-by-step downsizing plan that fits your goals.
Contact
320 Tudor Court
Glencoe, IL 60022
Ron Ehlers