If you want less upkeep without losing control of your timing, recent supply and pricing give you a useful starting point.
If you are thinking about a smaller home and trying to avoid a rushed two-step move, I would make timing your first decision. In Richmond, MI, recent supply was only 1.7 months, so the biggest risk is often finding too few good replacement options after you decide to sell.
Recent numbers give a clear picture of that tradeoff. Richmond, MI had 15 new listings come to market, 17 homes available at month-end, and 14 already under contract. The typical asking price on active homes was $365,000, while new listings entered around $289,900 and pending homes were sitting at $350,000, so the replacement pool is active but not especially deep.
For someone trying to simplify space, timing matters as much as price. A smaller home does not help if you feel forced into the wrong layout or condition level because choices are thin. I would treat this as a planning market, not a waiting market. The typical pending home took 31 days to reach contract, which tells me good options can move on a reasonable timeline once they fit what people want.
Start by defining your non-negotiables for the next home, especially layout, maintenance level, and price ceiling. Review what is available before you commit to a sale timeline. Then build your move in sequence identify likely replacement options, prepare your current home, and decide how much flexibility you need on possession and closing dates. A calm plan wins here.
