One-level living in Edmonton comes in three main forms — a detached bungalow on its own lot, a bungalow villa in a condo or bare-land community, and a two-storey home built with the primary bedroom and full bathroom on the main floor. All three remove the daily staircase from your life; they differ in maintenance, fees, and how much house and yard come with them. If you are selling a family home to downsize, choose the form that fits the life you want next, not just the floor plan.

Bungalows: the most house, the most upkeep

A resale bungalow in a mature neighbourhood gives you a full lot, a basement, and no condo fees — and leaves snow, lawn and roof entirely with you. Many Edmonton bungalows sit on generous lots in established areas close to the services you already use. My earlier guide to bungalows in Edmonton covers the premium these homes command and what to check in older mechanical systems.

Villas: one level, with the exterior handled

Bungalow villas trade the big lot for a managed exterior — snow removal and landscaping are typically handled through condo or community fees, which is exactly the trade many downsizers are buying. Read the documents like any condo purchase: fees, reserve fund, and what the snow and lawn service actually includes. The full comparison of ownership models is in my 55+ housing options guide.

Main-floor primary suites: keep the two-storey, lose the stairs

Newer homes with the primary suite, laundry and living space on the main floor let you age in place while keeping spare rooms upstairs for family visits. Check the details that decide whether it truly works: a full bathroom on the main floor, laundry on the main floor, step-free or single-step entry, and door widths. My SRES Realtor in Edmonton page and the downsizing and seniors guide walk through sequencing the sale and the purchase so the two closings support each other instead of colliding.

"Travis handled my mother's sale with patience and kept our whole family informed at every step. We never felt rushed." — Google review excerpt

Start from your current home's value

Every version of this move starts with the same number: what the family home will actually sell for. A free home evaluation based on sold data sets the budget for the bungalow, villa or main-floor-suite search — and the timeline for both moves.

Planning a move to one-level living in Edmonton? Call 780-720-8240 — I will try to call you this week, or reply with a good time and we will set a phone appointment to compare your options with real listings and real numbers.

By Travis Bannert, Realtor and Mortgage Broker

Travis Bannert, Realtor® | Bridge Realty Group, Maxwell Progressive Realty | 780-720-8240 | bridgerealtygroup.ca