Should I sell my home before buying a smaller one?

Downsizing decisions usually come down to timing risk: selling first means carrying temporary housing costs while you search for the smaller home, while buying first means qualifying for financing without relying on your current home's sale proceeds. Each path has trade-offs around moving twice, storage costs, and how competitive the smaller home's market is when you're ready to make an offer. A local agent can map out both scenarios against your specific finances and timeline before you commit to one.