The most common downsize

Downsizing from detached to townhome

Most Coquitlam downsizers don't want a condo — they want less house, not no house. A townhome is usually the right answer. Here's the playbook.

1%
Ranked Top 1% Team
2%
Nationwide Top 2% Nationwide Team
44
Local Lived in the Tri-Cities 44+ years
Team The MACNABS
Also read Downsizing resource hub When to downsize Downsizer case study Book a Strategy Call with Craig

Why detached → townhome is the default

A townhome gives you most of what a detached gave you — your own front door, private outdoor space, attached garage, room for guests — without the roof, the yard, or the foundation. The lifestyle shift is manageable. The financial shift is significant and in your favour.

The emotional shift is the real work. A townhome isn't a smaller house; it's a different kind of house. Clients who go in expecting 'smaller detached' struggle. Clients who go in expecting 'different life' thrive.

Keep: Own front door, private outdoor, attached garage, room for guests.
Lose: Roof, yard, foundation, snow, gutters.
Gain: Time, cash, simplicity, strata community.
Craig Johnston detached-to-townhome downsize

What works well about the trade

Time reclaimed

Evenings and weekends free up once you lose the maintenance cycle.

Cash freed up

The delta between detached and townhome typically funds 10+ years of travel or living.

Strata covers the stress

Roof, exterior, common areas — not your problem anymore.

Strong community

Townhome complexes tend to have real neighbour relationships.

Easy to lock up and leave

Travel becomes simple. That's a bigger deal than people expect.

What to prepare for

Less storage

Garage plus one closet. Start purging six months before.

Strata rules

Pets, rentals, renovations — know before you buy.

Thinner walls sometimes

Tour at different times of day. Listen.

Special levies

Review strata minutes for two years. Always.

Smaller yard

Gardeners: this is real. Plan accordingly.

Craig Johnston touring townhomes

How I run this for clients

I tour three townhome complexes with every detached-to-townhome client before we write an offer. Different complexes, different strata cultures, different build quality. The differences are real and the price ranges similar — you want to see them side by side.

We review two years of strata minutes before any offer. That's non-negotiable. Minutes tell you more about a building than any tour will.

Burke Mountain townhomes

Burke Mountain townhomes

The most common downsizing landing spot.

Read more
Westwood Plateau townhomes

Westwood Plateau townhomes

For lifestyle downsizers.

Read more
How to sell the family home

How to sell the family home

The seller side of the move.

Read more

Detached → townhome FAQ

Will I regret losing the yard?

Some miss it for the first summer. By year two, most clients say they don't.

Are Coquitlam townhomes well-built?

Newer strata (2010+) generally yes. Older stock requires careful minute review.

What's the price spread vs detached?

Usually 30–45% less than a comparable Coquitlam detached, depending on pocket.

How do I pick the right complex?

Tour three. Read two years of minutes. Talk to actual owners. This is where an experienced agent matters.

Craig Johnston townhome downsize

Ready to tour townhomes?

I'll set up three complexes in one afternoon. You'll know which one is the fit.

Book the townhome tour Downsizing hub
About Craig
Craig Johnston, Coquitlam REALTOR

Craig Johnston

Licensed REALTOR® · Coquitlam & the Tri-Cities

I have spent the last 5+ years helping Coquitlam move-up buyers and sellers get from where they are to where they want to be — without the panic of owning two homes at once or selling under value. I work the Tri-Cities every day: Burke Mountain, Westwood Plateau, Heritage Mountain, and the rest of Coquitlam’s move-up neighbourhoods.

If you want a straight read on your timing, pricing, or move-up strategy, the fastest next step is a short call.

SpecialtyMove-up sellers & upsizers
CoverageCoquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam
Experience5+ years serving Coquitlam families
Book a Strategy Call with Craig →
From Craig

“I operate the way I'd want a REALTOR® to work with my own family — written advice, honest trade-offs, and no hedging on the hard questions.”

Craig Johnston, REALTOR®
Craig Johnston
REALTOR® · Coquitlam
Why Craig for this decision

The four pillars I run every file on

Licensed REALTOR® in Coquitlam. Tri-Cities-fluent, written-advice-first. Here's how I work any client file that lands on this page.

Start with a free Equity Map Call 604-202-6092
Local resident
Lives and works in the Tri-Cities; kids in SD43.
Written positions
Pricing, negotiation, and disclosure in writing — never verbal-only.
Full representation
Equally strong on buy-side and sell-side; no part-time bias.
Same-day response
You won't be waiting a week for a callback.
Next steps

Three ways to take the next step — pick the one that fits.

If you're just exploring
Book a Strategy Call
No pitch. Just scope your options and walk away with a written next-step plan.
If you're actively shopping
Set up a custom search
Matched to your criteria with written comparable-sold data on every showing.
If you need an answer now
Call 604-202-6092
Same-day response during business hours. Tri-Cities local line.
Why people stay here

The lifestyle behind the numbers

Lifestyle companion
Hikes & Trails — Tri-Cities
Ten trails that shape weekly life here — Crunch, Buntzen, Diez Vistas, Pinecone Burke.
Lifestyle companion
Brewers Row
Port Moody brewery mile — seven breweries, one walkable kilometre.
Lifestyle companion
Belcarra Walks — Admiralty Point, Jug Island
The three classic Belcarra shoreline walks, mapped.

How I actually work with you

A five-step process built around clarity, strategy, and no-surprise execution — whether you're buying your first home or selling a property you've owned for twenty years.

  1. 01

    Evaluate — where you actually stand

    We start with a real conversation about your goals, timeline, and numbers. I'll pull current comps, assess your buying power or home's true market value, and tell you exactly what the data says — not what you want to hear.

  2. 02

    Strategize — a plan built for your situation

    I build a written strategy around your priorities: target neighbourhoods, pricing strategy, timeline, financing structure, and the trade-offs at each decision point. Every recommendation comes with a reason.

  3. 03

    Prepare — listings, offers, and due diligence

    For sellers: pre-list prep, staging direction, pro photography, and a pricing framework that draws interest without leaving money on the table. For buyers: offer structure, subject clauses, and the due-diligence checklist for every property that matters.

  4. 04

    Negotiate — protecting your position

    This is where experience pays for itself. I negotiate price, terms, subjects, deposit, completion dates, and the small details that don't show up in listings but decide whether a deal closes well or falls apart.

  5. 05

    Close — and stay with you after

    From subject removal through completion and possession, I coordinate with lawyers, lenders, inspectors, and trades so nothing drops. After closing, I stay in your corner for everything from tax-assessment appeals to the next move.

Book a Strategy Call →
Frequently asked

Tri-Cities real estate — quick answers

The short, honest version. Every answer here is what I'd tell you on a call — no fluff, no generic listing-agent talk.

Is the Coquitlam real estate market strong right now?
The Tri-Cities has held premium better than most Metro Vancouver sub-markets through the 2023-2025 cycle. Entering 2026, the story is: tight supply in detached across Burke Mountain, Heritage Mountain, and Westwood Plateau; closer to balanced in townhomes and condos.
Who's the best realtor in Coquitlam?
Every realtor answers this question the same way. The better question is: who's the best realtor for this specific search — move-up, first-time, Burke Mountain, Heritage Mountain, estate property, presale condo, relocation. The right answer is the one who can describe this neighbourhood without opening the listing.
What schools are in this area?
SD43 (Coquitlam School District) runs every public school in Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Anmore, and Belcarra. Catchments are specific and assignments change — always pull the catchment before writing an offer. SD43 catchment lookup.
How's the commute from here?
Evergreen Line of the Millennium SkyTrain links Coquitlam Central, Lincoln, Burquitlam, Moody Centre, and Inlet Centre — Coquitlam Central to Burrard is ~35 minutes. West Coast Express runs commuter-hours only and is ~35 minutes to Waterfront. Driving to downtown Vancouver is 35-60 minutes depending on time and route.
Have a different question? Book a Strategy Call →
Pick your lane

Buying or selling in Coquitlam? Start where it hurts least.

Most people lose money because they read generic advice and act on it. The pages below are the opposite — Coquitlam-specific, opinionated, and built from real transactions. Pick the lane that fits the move you're actually making.

If you're buying
If you're selling
Still deciding

No hedging. No "it depends." If a page above contradicts what another agent told you, ask them to cite their source — every number on this site is checkable.

Deeper reads

More in this series

The resources below go deeper on the same topic. If you’re piecing together a full picture, these are the next logical reads.

Authority Sources & Local Resources

Verify everything — the sources behind this page

Pricing, regulatory disclosures, and tax implications when selling in Coquitlam — every one of these has an authority behind it. Cross-reference before you list.

Municipal & Transit
Real Estate Authorities

External links open in a new tab. I'm not affiliated with these organizations — they are cited as independent authorities. Any time a number on this page differs from the authority, the authority wins.

Top 1% Team Medallion Team Member President’s Club Team Member 44+ Years in the Tri-Cities
Free 14-page guide

The Coquitlam Move-Up Tax Trap

The $40,000 most Tri-Cities move-up families leave on the table — capital gains, principal residence exemption, and PTT timing. No sales pitch. Just the math, the dates, and the traps I see Monday-to-Friday.

Get the PDF Free Equity Map

What Coquitlam clients actually say after working with Craig

Real reviews pulled from Google. No paid placements. No curated-only-positives. Every client below closed with Craig — most sold over asking, several within a week.

★★★★★

“Craig sold my property in just 6 days. After receiving one offer, he quickly reconnected with all the other REALTORS® who had viewed the property, and before I knew it, we had multiple offers — all over asking price. Craig didn’t stop there; he negotiated even better terms for me.”

Heather Fox
Sold with Craig · Over asking, 6 days
★★★★★

“We worked with Craig on three real estate transactions. In all cases he was extremely professional and efficient. In the case of the two sales, both houses were sold for over asking and within the one week of going on market. Craig analyzed the market accurately and advised on a selling price that was fair and saleable.”

Ann English
3 transactions · 2 sold over asking in a week
★★★★★

“Craig recently sold my townhouse in West Vancouver in less than 6 days for over asking price. Craig is one of the most prolific and highly motivated REALTORS® I have seen in the Realty business, and I have extensive experience buying and selling properties of all sorts.”

Riverplate Equities
West Vancouver townhouse · Over asking, 6 days
★★★★★

“We consider ourselves lucky to be able to work with Craig over the last 5 years, over multiple transactions. He is a professional who is guided by integrity, honesty, and punctuality. Craig is a seasoned and well-informed realtor who will be a great asset on any real estate journey.”

Jaeyoung Joo
Google Local Guide · 5 years, multiple transactions
★★★★★

“As first-time home buyers, we had a myriad of concerns. Craig immediately put us at ease by taking the time to address each of our questions thoroughly and patiently. At no point did I feel pressured or rushed into making a decision. Instead, Craig empowered us with all the facts and options.”

Jeff Kwok
First-time buyers
★★★★★

“One of the most dedicated and professional REALTORS® I’ve encountered. No matter the value of the property, Craig puts great care into preparing high-quality marketing content. With his in-depth knowledge of the Coquitlam area, I highly recommend Craig to anyone looking to buy or sell.”

Allan Liang
Coquitlam specialist
★★★★★

“His creativity, top-notch communication skills, and a solid plan were instrumental in selling high and buying low. His foresight in negotiation skills, predicting outcomes before they happened, truly set him apart. A remarkable professional who exceeded expectations.”

Matdori
Google Local Guide · Sold high, bought low
★★★★★

“Craig absolutely delivered on his promise of selling my condo, exceeding my expectations. A++ communications and he kept me informed and educated every single step of the way. Rock solid performance and a very quick above asking sale, I am beyond grateful.”

Rich & Andrew
Condo sold over asking
★★★★★

“We were referred to Craig by a friend and knew from day one we were in great hands. The marketing was outstanding — we received seven offers, and Craig held firm on our priorities. When we re-listed in January, it sold in three days at the price we wanted, and he went on to find us an off-market buy in Vernon.”

Jim Turnbull
7 offers · Sold at target price · Off-market buy in Vernon
Read the Google reviews →

More on Selling in Coquitlam

Keep Digging

Craig writes the Tri-Cities coverage most REALTORS® won't. Every page below is built on the same ground-truth data and the same negotiation playbook Craig uses for every client.

Craig Johnston, REALTOR® — Top 2% Nationwide Team, 44+ years Tri-Cities experience
Craig Johnston · REALTOR® · Coquitlam
Top 2% Nationwide Team 44+ Years Tri-Cities Burke Mountain Resident Move-up Specialist
Who this is for

Three kinds of people get the most out of this page.

Empty nesters in detached family homes

The house is big, the maintenance is bigger, and the equity is sitting there. Craig sequences the downsize so you keep the gain and land in the right townhome/condo.

Pre-retirement Tri-Cities owners (age 55-70)

Mortgage paid or nearly paid. Now it's about the right building, the right strata, the right walkability. Craig filters it for you.

Legacy planners

Your downsize touches estate planning, tax, and family. Craig coordinates with your accountant and lawyer.

Craig Johnston, Coquitlam REALTOR®
Craig's take
"Downsizing isn't just selling — it's re-sequencing your life. The timeline and the building choice matter more than the list price of the old place."
— Craig Johnston, REALTOR®
The five-step protocol

Every Craig file runs on the same five steps. No exceptions, no improvisation.

Whether you're a first-time buyer at $850K or a luxury seller at $4.2M, the sequence is identical. The scale changes. The discipline doesn't.

01
Frame the file

Your numbers, your timeline, your non-negotiables, your trade-offs — written down before we pick any houses or pick any comps.

02
Run the market

Current supply, current absorption, current days-on-market, current buyer pool — per neighbourhood, per property type, not 'Metro Vancouver' averages.

03
Lock the strategy

Target neighbourhoods, target price band, target timeline, target offer structure. Written. Agreed.

04
Execute on offer / list

Whether buying or selling, the offer / listing is engineered — structure, contingencies, comps, pricing logic — not improvised.

05
Close + follow-through

Conditions, completion, possession, and the six-month check-in. Most agents stop at keys. Craig doesn't.

Ready to talk?

Twenty minutes with Craig is worth a week of internet research.

No pitch, no pressure. Just your numbers, your options, and the next move that's actually right for you.

Book a Strategy Call → Get your home evaluation
Answers Craig gives

The three questions people ask Craig most on this topic.

When's the right time to downsize?

When the maintenance cost (time + money) outpaces the emotional value of the home. That's different for everyone. Craig helps you time it against your life stage, not the market cycle.

Should I downsize to townhome, condo, or rental?

Depends on timeline, estate planning, and mobility horizon. Craig runs the 5-year and 10-year decision with you — including the 'do I ever move again' question.

How do I downsize without losing my gain?

Sequence matters. Sell at the top of the comp window, complete with a long close, buy into a tighter market for the downsize. Craig runs the full sequencing.

What to read next

Pick the next step in Craig's Coquitlam playbook.

Read next · 8-min read
The downsize sell-side playbook →
Read next · 2-min form
Current home evaluation — start here →
Read next · 6-min read
Where to land after the downsize →
Read next · 1-min form
Book Craig — 20 minutes →
Craig Johnston, licensed REALTOR® — Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam specialist
Work with Craig

Every Coquitlam move runs on the same five-step protocol.

Born in the Tri-Cities. Lived on Burke Mountain for 9+ years. Top 2% Nationwide Team. Craig runs every file — move-up, first-time, seller, investor — through the same repeatable playbook so nothing gets improvised at your expense. Start with the 20-minute fit call or the equity map. No pitch, no pressure, just your numbers and your options.

Book a Strategy Call Home Eval
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