Downsizing in Lakeville and Dakota County
You raised a family in this house. The next chapter deserves a plan that's just as thoughtful.
Downsizing usually starts with a feeling, not a spreadsheet
The kids moved out.
Two bedrooms upstairs haven't been opened in months.
Shoveling the driveway takes a little longer every winter, and the yard eats your whole Saturday.
But this house holds a lot. A basement full of totes you haven't opened since 2015. A kitchen that hosted every holiday. Years of your life.
So the decision feels bigger than real estate. Because it is.
I'm Demyan Trofimovich. I live in Lakeville, and I help homeowners here, and anywhere in Dakota County and the Twin Cities metro, make this move. This guide walks through how downsizing in Lakeville actually works, what it costs, and how to do it without moving twice.
Why downsizing is different from a normal move
Most moves are one decision. Downsizing is two transactions on one timeline. Your sale and your purchase have to line up, and the order you do them in changes everything.
Most downsizers also have significant equity. That means the question usually isn't "can we afford to move?" It's "what's the smartest way to use what we've built?" Pay cash for the next place? Keep a small mortgage and invest the rest? Those are real choices worth thinking through with your financial advisor before you list.
And then there's the emotional side. I've watched sellers walk through their home one last time and need a minute in every room. That's normal. A good downsizing plan moves at your pace, not the market's.
How to downsize in Lakeville, step by step
1. Get clear on your why
Less maintenance, one-level living, closer to the grandkids, more time away in winter. Your why decides the type of home, the location, and how fast we move.
2. Know your number
What your home would sell for today, and what you'd walk away with after commission, title fees, the state deed tax, and prep. I'll give you a line-by-line net sheet.
3. Decide the order
Sell first for certainty about your budget. A rent-back or short-term rental can bridge the gap.
Buy first if you can carry both homes for a bit, using cash, a HELOC, or a bridge loan.
Line them up so both closings happen within days. It's the most common way I help downsizers move once.
4. Choose your next home
A one-level single-family home, an association-maintained villa, a townhome, or a 55+ community. Each has trade-offs in HOA dues, resale, and privacy. We'll compare them before you fall in love with a listing.
5. Declutter in phases
Start two to three months before listing, one room at a time. If it feels like too much, I can connect you with senior move managers and estate sale companies.
6. Prep and list
Fresh paint, light updates, open rooms. I'll tell you exactly where to spend money and where not to.
7. Close and move once
Closing dates that work for you, not just the buyer.
Villas, One-Level Homes, and 55+ Communities in Lakeville
One-level homes and villas in Lakeville
Most people I help want to stay close to what they know: their church, their doctors, their friends, and their kids' families. For a lot of my clients, that means staying right here in Lakeville.
Want a big neighborhood with amenities? Spirit of Brandtjen Farm is my first recommendation. It's one of Lakeville's largest neighborhoods, with community pools, miles of walking trails, and a mix of one-level homes, two-stories, and townhomes. Know going in that it's a busy, active neighborhood, not a quiet villa pocket. For a lot of downsizers, that's exactly the appeal.
Want newer and low maintenance? Lakeville's newer villa communities are built for this move. Summers Creek is a strong place to start, with newer villas, main-level living, optional lower-level space, and association maintenance. Pheasant Run Villas feels more like a single-family home, with detached rambler-style plans and real garage space. Knob Hill Villas is designed around one-level living and open floor plans. And if you want newer construction with HOA-supported maintenance, compare Cedar Hills Villas and Cedar Creek Villas side by side.
Want established, with resale opportunities? Keep an eye on these. Inman Trail is a small pocket of about 26 detached, true one-level townhomes with no shared walls. Kenwood Hills has about 60 detached rambler-style villas near Kenwood Trail. Boulder Village offers established luxury townhomes with main-level living, finished basements, and wooded trails. Most are 3,000+ square feet, so not smaller, just less work. Glacier Creek is another one to watch for main-level villa resales.
If the right fit isn't in Lakeville, Apple Valley, Farmington, and Rosemount are close enough that you keep your church, your doctors, and your routines.
Why villas make so much sense in a Minnesota winter
In a lot of states, an HOA is a nice-to-have. Here, it can be the whole point.
When the association handles snow removal, you don't think about the driveway at 6 a.m. in January. When it handles the lawn, your summer weekends are yours again.
Before you buy into any association, we'll review the documents together. I look at what the dues actually cover (roof? exterior? snow to the front door or just the driveway?), how healthy the reserves are, and whether any special assessments are coming.
55+ communities in and near Lakeville
If you want built-in community and amenities, there are strong 55+ and 62+ options in and around Lakeville. Some are traditional ownership, and some are housing cooperatives, which work differently when you buy and sell. I'll walk you through the difference.
| Community | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Estoria Lakeville | Lakeville | 62+ housing cooperative |
| Vita Attiva at South Creek | Farmington | 55+ detached villas and attached townhomes |
| Bards Crossing | Rosemount | 55+ resale condos |
| Summerhill Cooperative | Apple Valley | 55+ housing cooperative |
| Zvago Central Village | Apple Valley | 62+ housing cooperative |
| Applewood Pointe of Apple Valley | Apple Valley | 62+ housing cooperative |
| Gramercy Club at Burnhaven Drive | Burnsville | 55+ housing cooperative |
| Linden Cove | Savage | 55+ luxury lakeside homes |
A few Minnesota details to know
- Homestead: when you buy your next home, file for homestead with the county so your property taxes are calculated correctly
- Property taxes vary by city: a similar home can carry a different tax bill in Lakeville than in Farmington or Apple Valley, so we compare before you choose
- Disclosures: Minnesota sellers must complete a property disclosure. After 20 years in a home, it helps to start that early while you remember the furnace date and the roof year.
After 30 Years in Their Lakeville Home, They Were Ready for Something Smaller
I recently helped a couple in Lakeville who had lived in the same two-story home for over 30 years.
They raised their family there. But the kids had been gone for years, and the house had turned into rooms they barely used, stairs they were tired of, and a yard that took more time every year.
They wanted a rambler. A villa where the HOA handled lawn and snow, or a smaller home with less upkeep. Ideally in Lakeville or Apple Valley, with a nice view out back.
But there was one big question.
How do we buy our next home when we need the money from this one to do it?
That's where a lot of homeowners get stuck.
We started with a plan, not a For Sale sign
We looked at their equity, their budget for the next home, and how much risk they were comfortable with. For them, selling first made the most sense.
So we gave ourselves about three months to get ready. I walked through the house with them and built a room-by-room list: what to declutter, which furniture to remove, where fresh paint mattered, and which dated light fixtures to replace. Just as important, what wasn't worth spending money on.
They worked through it little by little. When the house was ready, so were they.
Sold the first weekend
All that prep paid off. Their home sold the first weekend with strong terms, and we negotiated a longer closing date so they had time to find the right next home.
Being sold first gave us leverage
They found a new construction home with the main-level living and backyard setting they wanted.
Because their house was already sold, we weren't buyers who still had to list, find a buyer, and hope it all worked out. That gave us real leverage, and we negotiated a significant amount off the builder's asking price.
One move. Two closings. A lot less stress.
We lined up both closings around the same time. No carrying two mortgages. No temporary housing. Just one move into a home that fits the way they want to live now.
What I want you to know if you're thinking about downsizing
Start the conversation six months to a year before you think you'll be ready. Some people need to sell first. Some can buy first. Some just need time to sort through decades of belongings.
The move itself is usually the easy part. The hard part is getting from where you are to where you want to be without feeling rushed.
That's why we plan first.
What my downsizing clients say
"We had an outstanding experience working with Demyan and team while buying and selling a house. He is knowledgeable, responsive, and was genuinely invested in helping us find the right house for our needs. He understands the market and walked us through every step of the process with patience, confidence, and professionalism. Highly recommend Demyan and team to anyone looking to buy or sell a house."Laura, Apple Valley & Burnsville
"Demyan won us over on our first meeting. We had our mind set on a property that would fit our needs. Demyan found us that 'right' property. He did a great job of negotiating for us. That is certainly one of his strong suits. We would not have done nearly as well without him representing us. Demyan also sold our existing property. Being someone who grew up with social media, he knows how to use it to market a property. Along with his photographer, he made a wonderful video presentation of our property that certainly helped sell it. He is professional, patient, and charming. He looked out for our best interest."Sandford, St. Paul & Lakeville
"Demyan was truly a full service Realtor! Our experience was flawless on both the buying and selling end. He was professional, accessible, ethical, thorough, kind, and also a great communicator. We truly felt like he was our ally during what has historically been a very difficult process for us. We felt like he was our advocate every step of the way. Demyan is top notch and I would recommend working with him without hesitation."Kathy, Savage & Richfield
Downsizing FAQ
When is the right time to downsize?
The honest answer is when your life is ready, not when the market is perfect. That said, timing still matters. In the Twin Cities, spring brings the most buyers. If you can, start sorting in winter and list in early spring. The house that's ready first usually gets the best attention.
Are there 55+ communities in Lakeville?
Yes. Estoria Lakeville is a 62+ housing cooperative right in town, and there are more nearby: Vita Attiva at South Creek in Farmington, Bards Crossing in Rosemount, and several cooperatives in Apple Valley and Burnsville. Many downsizers also choose association-maintained villas, which offer the same low maintenance without an age requirement.
Will I pay capital gains tax when I sell?
Many homeowners don't. Federal tax law lets you exclude up to $250,000 of gain if you're single, or $500,000 if you're married filing jointly, on a primary residence you've owned and lived in for at least two of the last five years. Everyone's situation is different, so check with your CPA before you list.
What are the best one-level neighborhoods in Lakeville?
It depends on what you want. For newer villas with association maintenance, start with Summers Creek, Pheasant Run Villas, Knob Hill Villas, Cedar Hills Villas, and Cedar Creek Villas. For established one-level resales, watch Inman Trail, Kenwood Hills, and Glacier Creek. If you want pools and trails, Spirit of Brandtjen Farm has a mix of one-level homes and townhomes.
Are villas and townhomes worth the HOA dues?
For many downsizers, yes. Especially here. Snow removal and lawn care alone save a lot of time and physical effort. The key is knowing what the dues actually cover and whether the association is well managed. We'll review the documents together before you commit.
What's the difference between a co-op and buying a villa?
When you buy a villa, you own your home and usually the land under it, and you pay HOA dues for shared maintenance. In a housing cooperative, you buy a share in the cooperative rather than the property itself, and a monthly fee typically covers things like taxes, maintenance, and amenities. Financing, resale, and how your equity grows all work differently, so it's worth understanding before you choose.
How much does it cost to sell a home in Minnesota?
Plan for agent commission, title and closing fees, the Minnesota state deed tax, and any prep or repairs. The total depends on your price and your home's condition. I'll give you a line-by-line net sheet so you know exactly what you'll walk away with.
About Demyan
I'm Demyan Trofimovich, owner of Trofimovich Group at eXp Realty. I've been helping Minnesota families buy and sell homes for over 10 years. I'm a 5x eXp ICON Agent, I sell about 50 to 60 homes a year, and I rank in the top 5% of agents in Minnesota.
I live in Lakeville with my wife and our two kids. This isn't just where I work. It's home.
Ready to talk it through?
You don't need to have it all figured out.
Most people I help start with a simple conversation. What would the house sell for? What would we net? What would the next place look like?
Once you see the numbers, the decision gets a lot clearer. No pressure. Just a plan.
Or call or text me at 651-767-2462.
Keep exploring: Upsizing Guide · First-Time Home Buyers · Relocate to Minnesota · Living in Lakeville
