For many parents whose children have grown up and moved out, they are left with a big house to themselves and are looking for a change.

Making the decision to downsize and leave the family home can be daunting for some, but local experts say it does not have to be with the right help and information.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just such a daunting process,B次元官网网址� said Joanne Brodersen, realtor with DFH Real Estate. B次元官网网址淸But] itB次元官网网址檚 not as scary as it seems. With the right people helping you, that transition can be made much more smoothly than it appears at first.B次元官网网址�

Besides the physical aspect of moving, Brodersen said the emotional aspect is often a factor as well, in terms of memories associated with the home. She advises going through items in the home and deciding what can be given away and what should stay when looking to move to a smaller place.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 so many people that can use those things that are sitting in your house that have been collecting dust for the last 20 years because no oneB次元官网网址檚 used them.B次元官网网址�

While retirees and downsizers have slotted themselves in to various parts of the West Shore, Brodersen says the phenomenon reaches across the Capital Region.

B次元官网网址淚 think what it is, is that there are so many baby boomers (reaching that stage),B次元官网网址� she said.

Bill Ethier, managing broker president of Royal Lepage Coast Capital Realty, said one of the main challenges for many people who are downsizing is being used to the amount of space they had before.

He said most people who downsize are going from a single-family home to a condo.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 easier to go up in space because you acquire more stuff as you move up, but going down itB次元官网网址檚 making the decision of what to eliminate from your life.B次元官网网址�

Another challenge for some people is having unrealistic expectations of how much space they can get within their budget, said Ethier. He said people often wonder how they are going to live in a much smaller home.

B次元官网网址淕et out there and look at properties and do comparisons and get an idea of what a square footage is,B次元官网网址� said Ethier. He added buyers should measure the rooms in their own homes in order to be able to compare it to homes they are looking to move into.

Brodersen has led downsizing seminars the past couple of months for people looking for more information and advice. The events include multiple speakers, including herself, a mortgage specialist and a financial planner.

B次元官网网址淲e find so many people are thirsty for this information,B次元官网网址� Brodersen said.

B次元官网网址淚f you know how itB次元官网网址檚 going to go, itB次元官网网址檚 not quite so frightening.B次元官网网址�

For more information about upcoming downsizing seminars, visit or call 250-477-7291.

Q: HOW WELL DID THE HOUSING MARKET PERFORM LAST MONTH?

November real estate sales have proven brisk.

The Victoria Real Estate Board announced 465 property sales in the Victoria region this November, surpassing 2013 sales of 412 by 12.9 per cent.

B次元官网网址淭his year has been great for Victoria real estate, weB次元官网网址檝e seen a friendly market for buyers and sellers thanks to steady pricing and low mortgage rates,B次元官网网址� said Victoria Real Estate Board President Tim Ayres. B次元官网网址淏y early last month, sales in the Victoria area met the number of total sales we saw for the entire year of 2013, and now we are 5.18 per cent over last yearB次元官网网址檚 sales with another month to go.B次元官网网址�

The Multiple Listing Service Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core was up to $489,000 from $482,300 last year, for an increase of 1.4 per cent.

B次元官网网址淎nother statistic to watch is the number of active and new listings,B次元官网网址� Ayres continued. B次元官网网址�682 properties were listed this November, and the total number of properties listed for sale including those newly listed was 3,631. ThatB次元官网网址檚 9.6 per cent fewer properties for sale than November last year.B次元官网网址�

GREATER VICTORIA MARKET UPDATE 禄 Month ending NOV. 30/14  COURTESY VICTORIA REAL ESTATE BOARD

禄 465 / 412 -- NET UNCONDITIONAL SALES/ TOTAL,  NOV. 2013

禄 682 / 714 -- NEW LISTINGS / TOTAL, NOV. 2013

禄 3,631 / 4,017 -- ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS / TOTAL, OCT. 2013