Selling Your Family Home and Moving to a 55+ Community in Montgomery County, Maryland

For many Montgomery County homeowners, the family house has become more house than they need. The stairs, the yard, the extra bedrooms and the upkeep are all still there, but the kids are gone. If you are thinking about selling and moving to an active 55+ community, this plan walks through the decisions in the order most people face them.

In short: get your net-proceeds number first, choose the community that fits how you want to live, then plan the timing of the two transactions.

Why more homeowners are making this move now

Many longtime Montgomery County owners have built up substantial equity. A 55+ community can offer low-maintenance or maintenance-free living, social activities, and amenities such as clubs, pools, and fitness centers, often within a short drive of family and doctors. Communities such as Leisure World of Maryland in Silver Spring have drawn residents from across the Washington area for decades. We moved to Leisure World six years ago and have gained first-hand experience with the activities, benefits and active social life of the community, as well as the challenges of making the transition. The biggest challenge was the one many people face when downsizing from a large detached house to a spacious three-bedroom condo: it has plenty of room, but it is still a condo, so we had to decide carefully what would fit and what would not.

Step 1: Find out what you will actually net

Before you look at a single community, get a realistic number for what your house will sell for and what you will keep after the sale. Your net proceeds depend on the sale price, your mortgage payoff, agent commissions, transfer and recordation taxes, any repairs or credits, and moving costs. Ask for a written estimate, not a guess. A pricing opinion based on recent comparable sales in your neighborhood is the best starting point. Here is what the numbers look like for a typical Montgomery County detached home (Bright MLS, October 23, 2026):

• Typical price: the average sales price for a detached home in Montgomery County in 2026 was about $1,000,000.
• Typical seller closing costs: about $66,000 (roughly 6.6%) at that price, if the seller pays commissions to both a listing agent and a buyer’s agent.
• Capital gains: married couples filing jointly can generally exclude up to $500,000 of gain on the sale of a primary residence they owned and lived in for at least two of the last five years. Ask your tax advisor how this applies to you.

Step 2: Decide what moves with you

Downsizing is the step people put off the longest. Start with one room at a time, and sort into keep, give to family, donate and sell. Measure the floor plans of the places you are considering so you know what furniture will fit. Starting early also helps your house show better when it is time to list.

Step 3: Choose the right kind of community

Not all 55+ communities are alike. When you compare them, look at:

• Home type and ownership: condominium or co-op; garden-style, mid-rise or high-rise buildings; townhomes; and in some communities even detached single-family homes.
• Monthly fees: what is included (exterior maintenance, utilities, amenities) and what is not.
• Age rules: many communities require that at least one resident be 55 or older. Rules vary, so ask for the written occupancy policy.
• Amenities and lifestyle: clubs, fitness, golf, transportation, dining and events. Visit on a normal weekday, not just on a tour day.
• Location: distance to your doctors, family, house of worship and Metro or major roads.

Want to see these communities in person? Sign up for a free senior community home tour.

Step 4: Plan the timing, sell first or buy first?

There are three common approaches: sell first and rent or stay short term; buy first and carry both homes for a time; or negotiate a sale with a flexible settlement or rent-back so you can close on both homes close together. The right choice depends on your finances, your comfort with risk, and how quickly homes sell where you are moving. For instance, in Leisure World there are usually about 80 to 100 homes on the market at any one time. On average in 2026, those homes went under contract in about six weeks (Bright MLS, October 23, 2026). Most buyers will have a good number of choices available. However, buyers with a long list of must-have features may need to allow more time for the search.

Step 5: Prepare, price and market your home

A home that is clean, decluttered and priced to the market usually sells faster and for more. Focus first on the high-return items: paint, lighting, landscaping and fixing anything an inspector will flag. Professional photos and a strong online presence matter, because most buyers start their search on a phone or computer.

Step 6: Make the move easier

Line up movers early, schedule utilities and address changes, and give yourself a buffer between closing and move-in. If you are moving a long-time household, consider help from a senior move manager.

Common questions

How long does it take to sell a house in Montgomery County?

It depends on price, condition and season, and sale times are lengthening this fall. Detached homes currently listed in Montgomery County have been on the market an average of 90 days so far (Bright MLS, October 23, 2026). Pricing correctly at the start is the biggest factor.

Do I have to be 55 to buy in a 55+ community?

You can buy at any age, but usually at least one resident must be 55 or older. Each community sets its own rules, so always ask for the written policy.

Can I buy before I sell?

Yes, if your finances allow it or you arrange bridge financing. We can walk through the options that fit your situation.

Next step

We hold the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) designation with The Encore Team at RE/MAX Realty Services, and Leisure World is where we focus. For a free copy of our guide, How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar – Fast!, request your free copy here. To see what is happening in the 55+ market, request our Active Senior Community Report. Or call Charles Chapman at 240-351-8214 or Debbie Browne at 240-351-8212.