Most owners think about downsizing for a long time before acting. The agent who helped them plan usually gets the listing.
Agent play · Downsizing sellers
Downsizing seller leads: long-time owners of homes that no longer fit.
Owners who've lived in a larger home for decades often have the most equity and the biggest decisions ahead. Spur finds long-held, larger homes using property facts, not assumptions about who lives there, and mails a warm, helpful letter about rightsizing on their terms.
Free forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
USPSFirst-Class
George & Ellen Price602 Aurora AveNaperville, IL 60540Scan for the free guide
Ellen P. downloaded the rightsizing guide · 50 min ago
AI-written for this owner · Mailed in 2 days
Larger homeswith long ownership and high equity
Property factsonly, never personal characteristics
Free guideoffer that starts the conversation
The problem
Downsizing is a long decision, and agents show up too late.
Marketing based on age or family status is risky. You need a property-based way to find likely movers.
Downsizers need to sell and buy, often with timing worries. Generic listing pitches miss that.
How it works
From list to mailbox in one workflow.
Five steps from property data to a rightsizing conversation.
app.usespur.com
See it in Spur
A downsizing list in Spur
Sample larger, long-held homes with high equity. Names are partly masked.
Naperville, IL4+ bedroomsOwned 20+ yrsEquity 70%+
- George & Ellen P.602 Aurora Ave5 bedsOwned 35 yrs
- Ruth A.19 Maple Ct4 bedsOwned 36 yrsDownloaded guide
- Frank & Joy W.1140 Tall Oaks Dr4 bedsOwned 24 yrs
- Carol M.335 Sunset Dr5 bedsOwned 29 yrs
- Ted & Lynn H.88 Ridgewood Rd4 bedsOwned 22 yrs
AI draft for George & Ellen P. · 602 Aurora Ave
Hi George and Ellen,
You've owned your home on Aurora Avenue for about 35 years. Many owners who've been in their home that long eventually start thinking about what's next: a smaller place, less upkeep, or a move closer to family.
If that's ever on your mind, I've put together a free guide to rightsizing in Naperville. It covers timing, costs, how to buy your next home before selling this one, and what to do with a lifetime of belongings.
Scan the code to get the guide. There's no obligation, and I'm happy to answer questions whenever you're ready, whether that's next month or a few years from now.
Kate Sullivan · Coldwell Banker · SRES · (630) 555-0177
Sample data for illustration. Your results depend on your market and filters.
Playbook
How to find downsizing sellers the right way
Owners who've lived in a larger home for decades are among the most valuable listing prospects: high equity, a home that may no longer fit, and often a purchase to follow. But the decision to downsize usually takes years, and the agent who helps them plan along the way is the one they call when they're ready.
Target property facts, not people. Fair housing laws prohibit discrimination based on familial status, and many states also protect age, so avoid targeting or wording based on assumptions about who lives in a home. Instead, use property characteristics like the number of bedrooms, ownership length, and equity, which are reliable indicators that a home may no longer fit.
Lead with help, not a pitch. A free guide to rightsizing, covering timing, costs, buying before selling, and handling belongings, is genuinely useful and lets owners engage on their own schedule. Partnerships with senior move managers and estate planners can make the transition easier for your clients.
Expect a long cycle and plan for it. A quarterly market note, with a reminder about your guide and an offer of a home value, keeps you in touch until the timing is right.
17×return on a year of Spur Team from one listing, before the purchase
Downsizers often mean two transactions.
- Spur Team: $588/yr billed annually
- 300 homes × 4 letters a year = 1,200 letters at $1.39 = $1,668
- One listing at a $10,000 commission = 17× your subscription, plus the next purchase
Commission based on a typical listing side on a $400,000 home. Your split may differ. Run your own numbers →
One tool, not four
Spur vs. the usual downsizing workflow
What you needThe usual waySpur
Finding likely downsizersGuesswork or risky targeting✓ Built in
Owner contactFarm report✓ Built in
Helpful offerGeneric listing pitch✓ Built in
Know who downloaded the guideNo signal✓ Built in
Multi-year follow-upInconsistent✓ Built in
FAQ
Downsizing seller questions
How do I find empty nesters and downsizers?
Use property facts: larger homes (4+ bedrooms), long ownership, and high equity. Avoid targeting based on age or family status.
Is it legal to market to empty nesters?
Familial status is protected under federal fair housing law, and many states protect age. Target by property characteristics and keep your wording about the home, not the household.
What should a downsizing letter offer?
Something helpful, like a free rightsizing guide covering timing, costs, buying before selling, and handling belongings.
How long does it take a downsizer to decide?
Often a year or more. Stay in touch quarterly so you're the agent they call when they're ready.
Can I help them buy their next home too?
Yes. Downsizers often need a coordinated sell-and-buy plan, which is a strong reason to work with one agent.
Keep exploring
Related plays and guides
Start in minutes. No card required.
Be the agent who helped them plan the next chapter.
Find larger, long-held homes near you and send your first rightsizing guide offer today.
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