There is a couple living in Cincinnati. As their son's family moved nearby, they decided to spend more time with their grandchildren. The problem was that their current home was too large. Managing a four-bedroom single-family home had become overwhelming. So, they began considering a move to a townhome.

The median home price in Hamilton County is $287,000. As of November 2025, this figure has increased by 7.1% compared to the previous year. Narrowing it down to downtown Cincinnati, the median price drops to about $235,000. Townhomes are generally priced lower than this, so selling their current home and moving could leave them with extra funds.

Property taxes also need to be considered. The median effective tax rate in Cincinnati is 1.53%. For a $235,000 home, this amounts to about $3,384 annually. Across Hamilton County, the median tax amount is $3,721, which is significantly higher than the national median of $2,400. Utilizing Ohio's Homestead Exemption can help reduce this burden. If you are over 65 and your income for 2024 is below $40,000, the first $29,000 of your home's assessed value is exempt from taxation. By 2026, the income limit will increase to $41,000.

Electricity costs have also risen significantly recently. Duke Energy will increase its standard rate to 10.445 cents per kWh starting in June 2025. This is an increase of about 25% to 30% from previous rates. For a household using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month, this means an additional $8 to $10 per month. Homes that use a lot of air conditioning in the summer will feel this increase more acutely.

Townhomes typically have smaller cooling areas in the summer, resulting in relatively lower electricity costs. However, there is a monthly HOA fee. The HOA takes care of landscaping, exterior maintenance, and snow removal, so there's no need to manage a yard alone. If they want to spend more time with their grandchildren, this can be a practical advantage.

For couples like this one considering downsizing to spend more time with their grandchildren, it's important to think not just about reducing the size of the home but also about the layout of daily life. Townhomes often have bedrooms clustered upstairs, so if climbing stairs is a concern, they should look for single-story options.

There are also several active senior communities for those over 55 near Cincinnati. These communities often manage landscaping and exterior maintenance at a higher HOA fee than typical townhomes, so families with frequent grandchild visits should consider both location and management costs.

When looking for townhome listings, it's wise to check for the presence of stairs as well as access to small yards or nearby parks where grandchildren can play. There are several townhome communities in the Cincinnati suburbs that meet these criteria.

The income criteria for Ohio's Homestead Exemption change slightly each year, so it's advisable to check the Hamilton County Auditor's website for the current year's standards before applying.

Some families are considering renting out their current home instead of selling it, but becoming a landlord comes with tenant management and separate tax reporting, which adds more responsibilities than simply downsizing.

Before deciding to move, it's important to assess how quickly they can sell their current home based on market conditions. Hamilton County has seen steady demand compared to recent listings, so if priced appropriately, homes tend to sell relatively quickly.

The couple, who were planning to move closer to their son's family, ultimately began looking into townhomes. After calculating the potential profits from the sale, property tax reductions, and savings on electricity, they believed they would have more financial flexibility than they do now. This article is not investment advice or legal counsel, and it is recommended to consult a tax advisor or real estate professional before making any actual contracts.