Did you buy your Altrincham home at least 20 years ago? And are you living mortgage free now? If you answer yes to both of these questions, then have you considered downsizing?

Why would you want to downsize?

By selling your current property and buying one much smaller you can free up all the remaining equity in your home. Of course, we are looking at a scenario where your mortgage has been completely paid off.

And if you bought your Altrincham home at least twenty years ago, then house price increases have been very kind. Your property’s price is now more likely to be significantly higher than what you paid for it. You could be sitting on a small goldmine. Or an early retirement fund. Or a means to a more relaxed, stress-free life as you get older.

By owning a smaller property, you can reduce the amount of maintenance and upkeep required as well as the overall running costs of your home. Saving you more time and money to enjoy your later years.

Where in the North West have average property prices increased the most in the last 20 years?

Well, a new piece of research was done by Zoopla recently. They looked at the areas of the country where average property prices have increased the most over the last twenty years. When it comes to the North West, guess which area led the way for the biggest rise in house prices? We can tell you it was Trafford.

Yes, they looked at where in each region average property prices have risen the most since 2005. And in the North West, Trafford led the way.

The example Zoopla shared showed the average property price in Trafford in 2005 at £196,100. And in 2025, the average property price in Trafford is £349,300. This is a 78% increase equating to £153,200.

If you live in Altrincham and the surrounding areas, you’ll no doubt be very aware of how much property prices have increased over recent years.

Take a look at this graph, which shows the average sales price of properties in Altrincham from January 2005 through to January 2025. You can also see the clear comparison with average sales prices across the whole of the North West (in the lighter green/grey) over the same period.

Would downsizing be a smart move?

It’s certainly something to consider. There are positives and downsides to it, depending on how you and your partner feel.

You need to think and discuss why you would downsize. Here are some pointers to consider.

Why do you want to downsize? Are you driven by being able to free up the cash in your Altrincham home? Is your current property becoming too difficult or costly to manage as you get older?

Where you will go and what type of property will you downsize to? Are there adequate smaller properties in the area you hope to retire in? Or will you need to move further afield, away from friends and family? And what about the cost of moving – can you move without using too much of the cash you’re going to free up? You might need to think about renovations, fees, etc.

Are you ready to move, emotionally? Our family homes are special to us; they hold many memories. Will you be able to break the emotional connection with your family home? Or perhaps, now your children have all left home and you’re an ‘empty nester’, you are ready to move on.

Will your next home be suitable for the long-term? As you get older, you might need to adapt your property if your needs change. Will the new property you are moving to be able to accommodate any future changes you might need to make?

The next steps if you want to downsize

Here’s what we recommend you do if you do decide downsizing and selling your Altrincham home is a smart move. First and foremost, you want to know how much your current home is worth. Book a property valuation with a local, trusted agent – ideally one who knows the area very well. Such as ourselves, of course!

We will give you a realistic valuation based on the size, condition and location of your home. And if staying local is important to you, we can help steer you towards suitable smaller properties in the area. We will also give you a realistic overview of the market and as such, how long it might take to sell your home.

You see, while house prices have increased significantly and downsizing is appealing, the market is experiencing some imbalance with current buyer affordability. As such, here in Altrincham, we are seeing some of the larger properties waiting longer for a buyer.

Family homes on the market for more than £700k, for example, are taking longer to sell. That’s because a lot of buyers who are looking to step up from their first or second home to a larger family home, are struggling with affordability. Mortgage rates, the general cost of living and an ongoing uncertain economic outlook are all having an effect. But these are all aspects we can discuss with you when we visit to do a free home valuation.

So, if you want honest, impartial and realistic advice on downsizing your Altrincham home as well as  assessing what your property is worth, get in touch. Our professional team can arrange the best date and time to visit you at home. Our property valuations are free and no-obligation. Call us today on 0161 941 4445.

The graph in this article comes via Dataloft by PriceHubble to which Jameson and Partners has a valid subscription.