Downsizing in Perth: A Practical Guide for Selling the Family Home

Downsizing in Perth usually means selling a larger family home and buying or renting somewhere smaller, easier to maintain and closer to what you use every day. The biggest decisions are whether to sell first or buy first, what your next home needs, and how to handle decades of belongings. If you are 55 or older, you may also be able to put up to $300,000 of the sale proceeds into super as a downsizer contribution (ATO).

Should you sell first or buy first when downsizing?

Sell first: you know exactly what you have to spend and can buy as a cash-ready buyer, but you may need to rent or arrange a long settlement in between. Buy first: you secure the next home, but your sale is under time pressure and you may need bridging finance. Many downsizers ask for a longer settlement on the sale to bridge the gap. The right choice depends on your finances and how fast your suburb is selling.

What is the downsizer contribution to super?

If you are 55 or older, you may be able to contribute up to $300,000 from the sale of your home into your super, and your spouse may contribute the same (ATO). Conditions apply, including that the home was owned by you or your spouse for at least 10 years and that the contribution is made within 90 days of settlement. Speak with a licensed financial adviser before you sell; this can affect pension entitlements.

What do downsizers look for in their next home?

• single-level living or lift access
• low maintenance and secure, lock-and-leave living
• walkable shops, cafes, health services and transport
• room for visiting family, without rooms you will never use
• good light and outdoor space that is easy to keep

Visit shortlisted homes at different times of day: light, noise and parking change everything. For apartments, check strata levies, by-laws and the building’s maintenance plans.

How do you declutter decades of belongings?

Start months before the campaign, one room at a time. Sort into keep, family, donate or sell, and discard. Measure your next home and keep what fits it. The home will also present better for sale, and the emotional work happens gradually instead of in one hard week.

How do you get the best price for the family home?

Present it for the next family: clear, clean, well lit, with the garden and outdoor areas tidy. Avoid big renovations; buyers often plan their own. Our guide to preparing your home for sale shows what is worth doing.

What costs should downsizers plan for?

• commission and marketing on the sale (see the cost of selling a house in Perth)
• transfer duty and settlement fees on the purchase
• removalists, storage and any furniture for the new home
• bridging finance or rent if the timing does not line up

Do you need a clearance certificate to sell?

Yes, in practice. Since 1 January 2025, Australian-resident sellers should give the buyer an ATO clearance certificate by settlement, or the buyer must withhold up to 15% of the price (ATO). Your settlement agent will remind you, but applying early avoids last-minute stress.

Selling the family home is a big step. Request a free appraisal and we will talk through timing, presentation and what your home could achieve.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I put into super when I downsize?

If you are 55 or older and meet the conditions, up to $300,000 per person from the sale of your home, made within 90 days of settlement.

Should I sell or buy first when downsizing?

Selling first gives certainty about your budget; buying first secures your next home. A longer settlement can help bridge the two.

Is it worth renovating before downsizing?

Usually not. Presentation, repairs and decluttering return more than major renovations.

Where do Perth downsizers move to?

Often to low-maintenance homes or apartments near shops, transport and services in or close to their current area.