— We take our content seriously. This article was written and reviewed by a real person, with some help from AI.
This wasn’t something we sat around a boardroom and decided to build.
The BREL Downsizing Guide was born from real life — from the honest, messy, and emotional conversations we’ve been having with our clients, our friends, and our own families. Conversations about aging parents in homes that no longer fit their lifestyles. About adult children who want to help but don’t know how. About people looking for a simpler lifestyle, but stuck in the “where do I even begin?” spiral.
Downsizing is hard. Not just practically — but emotionally. And what we kept hearing, over and over, was this:
“We wish there was a resource that actually walked us through this.”
So we made one. Introducing The BREL Downsizing Guide.
This Is What We Do — And We’ve Been Doing It for Years
Helping people navigate major transitions is what we do best — and have been doing for more than 15 years. Selling homes, yes. But more importantly: helping people move forward. Strategically, supportively, and with a clear plan.
Over the years, we’ve worked with Toronto homeowners downsizing for all kinds of reasons:
- A lifestyle change — more travel, more flexibility, less maintenance
- The end of a chapter — managing grief, or realizing the house is just too much
- Looking ahead — planning proactively for the future, before it becomes urgent
We’ve seen firsthand how much easier the process becomes when the right support is in place. And how overwhelming it can be without it.
So…Why Now?
Because this is happening everywhere. To families all across Toronto.
People are staying in homes that no longer suit them — sometimes because they don’t want to let go, but more often because they just don’t know what comes next. The process feels daunting. The questions start piling up:
- Should I sell my home or rent it out?
- What do I do with 30 or 40 years of belongings?
- What if I make the wrong choice?
- Is now a smart time to downsize in Toronto, or should I wait?
And so, nothing happens (until it has to). That’s the moment we want to get ahead of—not with pressure or sales tactics, but with clarity and confidence, tools, empathy, and a guide.
What You’ll Find in the BREL Complete Downsizing Guide
We built this guide to be part roadmap, part support system. A one-stop spot for anyone thinking about downsizing in Toronto, whether that means selling a family home, moving into a smaller property, or just starting to explore options for your next move.
Inside the Complete Downsizing Guide, you’ll find:
- Checklists for every step — from starting the conversation to prepping for move-in day
- Conversation starters to help navigate family dynamics (without drama)
- Real downsizing stories from Toronto homeowners who made the leap — and what they learned along the way
- Resource lists with people we know and trust — downsizing experts, junk haulers, move managers, and more
- Videos and blogs that break down the process into manageable, human steps
It’s not about selling you something. It’s about helping you (or the people you love) get unstuck and giving you the confidence to take the next step, whatever that looks like. And it’s a work in progress. We’ll be building on this and adding resources along the way.
Helping You (and the People You Love) Get What You Need
At BREL, “get what you want” has always been the goal. But sometimes, especially in this chapter, it’s about getting what you need: less stress, more clarity, the right kind of space, and the right people you trust beside you.
Downsizing isn’t just about moving into a smaller home. It’s about reimagining what your next stage of life could look like — whether that’s more freedom, less maintenance, or finally having the time and space to do what matters most.
If you’re thinking about downsizing — or helping someone else figure it out — this guide is for you.
👉 Explore The BREL Complete Downsizing Guide
Let’s make this easier. Let’s make it doable. And let’s do it together.