For many homeowners in Highland Park and Preston Hollow, the big house was once the dream. It was the backdrop for holidays, pool parties, and raising a family. But when the kids have homes of their own, travel becomes a bigger priority, and rooms sit unused, that 10,000-square-foot estate can start to feel less like a sanctuary and more like a second job.
Right-sizing is not about giving up status or comfort. It is about reclaiming time, simplifying daily life, and curating a lifestyle that actually fits who you are now.
My goal is simple: to guide high-net-worth families through this transition with a white-glove, concierge-style experience from first conversation to fully settled in.
Your Home May Be Worth Far More Than You Think
One of the first things we talk about is what your home is actually worth — because there is often a big gap between what the tax appraisal says and what the market will pay.
Many homeowners in Highland Park, University Park, and Preston Hollow have been in their homes for years, sometimes decades. During that time, values have climbed dramatically. We regularly see sellers walk away with $500,000 to over $1 million more than they expected — simply because their frame of reference was the tax value, not the true market value.
That number changes everything. Suddenly the move feels not just emotionally right, but financially brilliant.
From 5,700 Sq. Ft. to the Ritz Lifestyle: A Highland Park Story
One Highland Park family lived in a beautiful 5,700-square-foot, four-bedroom home with pool, spa, and three living areas. They loved the house - but they also loved to travel. Over time, the maintenance started to feel heavier than the enjoyment.
We talked about downsizing for more than a year. We toured townhomes, condos, zero-lot-line homes, and even single-family options in various Dallas neighborhoods. Nothing felt quite right, largely because they still had a strong emotional attachment to their home.
Everything shifted when a condo at the Ritz in Uptown came on the market.
That listing sparked an in-depth high-rise search. We compared different buildings in Dallas and the level of service they offered, whether the units were updated or would require remodeling, and how the spaces would support their lifestyle today and in the years ahead.
Once we determined what they could realistically sell their Highland Park home for — which turned out to be more than they expected — they were ready to move.
They ultimately chose a stunning high-rise condo with concierge services, a spacious two-bedroom plus study, beautiful living and dining spaces, a large patio, and the kind of hotel-level experience you simply cannot replicate in a traditional home.
They traded excess square footage for ease, security, and everyday enjoyment. Today, they feel like they are living at the Ritz full-time — and they are absolutely overjoyed.
From Preston Hollow to the “Unicorn”
Another couple in Preston Hollow owned an 11,000-square-foot estate in Dallas, plus another home in a different city. Their adult children and grandchildren all lived in town, but most of the gathering now happened at the kids' homes rather than the parents'.
What they wanted was not a "small" home. They wanted a smarter home: lock-and-leave, close to everything they enjoy — restaurants, art, theatre, and Mavs games — with enough room to host family and friends when it mattered.
We found what we now refer to as the "unicorn" townhouse.
At roughly 6,000 square feet, it was about half the size of their original home, but it offered exactly what they needed: three bedrooms for family stays, a media room for games and movie nights, an incredible rooftop patio for entertaining, and a four-car garage to accommodate their lifestyle.
Once they stepped into the space, they saw the potential immediately. They decided to do a complete remodel, not just a light refresh. Their thinking was: If we're going to be here for a long time, let's make it everything we want.
The result is a spectacular "playhouse" for this next season of life — less upkeep, more joy, and a location that truly supports how they live now.
When the Kids Bring Everyone Home: A Multi-Generational Right-Sizing Story
Not every right-sizing story begins with the homeowners themselves. Sometimes it starts with their adult children.
We recently worked with a family whose parents had been living in a senior adult community for about ten years. They had loved it — golfing, swimming, daily activities, and a wonderful social life. But as the years passed, they were not as active in the community and their adult children — who are our age — began to feel the distance. They wanted their parents closer, not just for the occasional visit, but for the everyday moments.
So we went to work. We found a beautiful one-story home, no steps, just around the corner from the kids. We sold the parents' home in the senior community and helped coordinate the entire transition.
The result? The whole family is thrilled. The grandchildren now walk home from school to their grandparents' house. Sunday dinners have become a regular thing again. The parents are safe, close, and surrounded by the people who love them most.
It was a true honor to play a small role in bringing that family back together — and a powerful reminder that right-sizing is about so much more than square footage. It is about building the life you actually want to be living.
White-Glove Support: You Go on Vacation, We Handle the Move
For many clients, the toughest part of right-sizing is not choosing the new home — it is dealing with everything they have accumulated over the years. Closets, drawers, attics, furniture, collections, and heirlooms all carry emotional and practical weight.
You may be wondering: Do the kids actually want any of this? What should be donated? Is an estate sale a better option? How do I even start?
This is where our concierge-style resources come in. We work with trusted organizers and vendors who can help you sort, purge, and organize your belongings, coordinate donations, estate sales, and storage if needed, and manage packing, moving, and full setup in your new home.
In many cases, you can quite literally leave town and return to a fully finished home — art hung, TVs installed, furniture placed, kitchen organized, beds made.
You do not have to wait for the cable installer, manage dozens of vendors, or live out of boxes. You have earned the right to let other people handle the logistics. This is a season where you should be enjoying the new adventure ahead — not doing the heavy lifting yourself.
How Long Does This Process Take?
Honestly, it depends — and that is actually a good thing.
Some clients find their perfect home quickly and the whole process moves in a matter of weeks. Others are in an exploratory phase for a year and a half to two years. This is one of the biggest decisions you will make, and there is absolutely no rush.
What we have found works best for most clients is finding the right home first, then selling the existing property. That approach takes the pressure off entirely. You know exactly where you are going, what you want to take with you, and what can be passed along. The sale of your current home becomes straightforward and stress-free rather than a race against the clock.
The Biggest Hurdle: Getting Started
We hear two things most often from people who are on the fence.
The first is the sheer weight of it all — the idea of going through decades of belongings, deciding what to keep, what to give away, and how to even begin. That overwhelm is completely understandable, and it is exactly why our concierge approach exists. You do not have to figure this out alone.
The second is simply not yet knowing where they want to go. When you have not found a space that makes you say yes, it is hard to say goodbye to the home you love. Our job is to keep searching until we find that place — because when it clicks, you will know immediately. Every client we have worked with has felt that moment.
Should You Downsize or Stay and Update?
Not everyone is ready to move — and that is okay. Many of the people we work with are deciding between two paths: downsizing into a more manageable, lock-and-leave, easy maintenance home, or staying in their current home but updating it to age in place more comfortably.
When you are on the fence, these questions can help bring clarity:
Can you safely age in place? Is there already an elevator, or is there a realistic way to add one? Are the primary living spaces on the main floor, or could they be?
What rooms do you truly use? Walk through your home with an honest eye. Which rooms are part of your daily life, and which have become "museum space" you rarely enter?
What does the maintenance math look like? Add up your ongoing costs — landscaping, pool, exterior maintenance, security, and repairs — and compare that to HOA dues and fees in a luxury high-rise, condo, or townhome.
What kind of daily support do you want? In your next season, would you rather manage vendors yourself, or would you prefer concierge services that handle packages, groceries, and even some day-to-day tasks?
For many of our clients, the turning point is not just financial — it is emotional. They reach a moment where the weight of maintaining a large property no longer aligns with how they want to live.
A Family Decision, with a Trusted Guide
Right-sizing is rarely a one-person decision. Adult children are often part of the conversation, especially when we are talking about aging in place, long-term care needs, and planning for the future.
We understand this on a personal level. We have walked this journey with our own mothers, talking through home maintenance, safety, and what truly serves them best at this stage of life. That experience shapes how we listen, how we advise, and how we support each client and their family.
Whether you are considering a luxury high-rise with full concierge services, a zero-lot-line home with minimal maintenance, a lock-and-leave townhome near your favorite restaurants and cultural spots, or updates that allow you to stay in the home you already love — our role is to be your expert resource and calm guide through every step.
Ready to Explore Your Options? Let's Talk.
If you are starting to think "maybe it's time," the next step is simple: give us a call. No pressure, no rush — just an honest conversation about what right-sizing could look like for you, what your home is actually worth in today's market, and what possibilities are waiting on the other side.
We would love to hear your story.
Tiffany & Brandon Hawkins | The Hawkins Group at Douglas Elliman Serving Highland Park, University Park, Preston Hollow, and beyond
