Senior Downsizing Specialist Certified SRES, serving Orange County families
Paula Aragone guides Orange County seniors and their families through every step of a downsizing move, with the expertise, compassion, and results you deserve. Prop 19 tax base transfers, 55+ communities and full move coordination.
Why Senior Downsizing Needs an Expert
A senior downsizing specialist is an agent credentialed to sell the family home when a homeowner aged 55 or older is moving to something smaller, coordinating the sale with the Proposition 19 tax base transfer, the 55+ community search and the move itself, so the three happen in the right order.
Downsizing is one of the most emotionally significant decisions a family can make. Whether you are simplifying after decades in your home, relocating closer to family, or moving into a senior community, Paula Aragone brings a rare combination of real estate mastery and genuine care to every step of the process.
As a Certified Senior Residential Expert (SRES) and Certified Probate Specialist, Paula has helped hundreds of Orange County seniors achieve top-dollar sales while minimizing stress. She understands the timeline pressures, the emotional weight of a lifetime of belongings, and the financial details that matter most to seniors, including California’s Proposition 19.
Talk to Paula TodayCredentials Built for Senior Transitions
Every certification Paula holds was chosen specifically to serve seniors and their families with the highest level of expertise.
Certified Senior Residential Expert
SRES, the gold standard designation for agents serving the 50+ community, awarded by NAR.
Probate Certified
Trained to handle estate sales with sensitivity, speed, and legal compliance.
Luxury Portfolio International
Global luxury network ensuring maximum exposure for your property.
Top 1% Nationwide by NAR
Consistently ranked among the top producing agents in the United States by the National Association of Realtors.
Complete Senior Downsizing Services
Home Preparation & Sale
From decluttering guidance to staging, pre-sale repairs, and pricing strategy, Paula manages every detail to maximize your sale price with minimal disruption.
Prop 19 Navigation
Paula walks you through California’s senior property tax transfer benefit so you can make a fully informed financial decision before you sell.
Timeline & Move Coordination
Whether you need 30 days or 6 months, Paula structures your sale timeline around your needs, not the other way around.
Estate & Transition Support
Paula coordinates with estate sale companies, moving specialists, and senior placement professionals so you have a seamless team behind you.
55+ Community Guidance
Deep knowledge of Orange County’s top senior communities, from active-adult gated neighborhoods to resort-style retirement villages.
Right-Size Home Search
Paula represents both sellers and buyers, helping you find the perfect smaller home, condo, or senior community to begin your next chapter.
Understanding Proposition 19
Passed in 2020, Prop 19 is one of the most valuable financial tools available to California homeowners age 55 and older. It allows eligible seniors to transfer their low property tax base to a new home anywhere in California, up to three times.
- Transfer your current property tax base to a replacement home of any value
- Move anywhere in California, all 58 counties now participate
- Available up to three times in your lifetime (age 55+)
- Also available to severely disabled homeowners and wildfire/disaster victims
- Significant annual savings when downsizing to a lower-value property
What Does This Mean for You?
If you purchased your Orange County home decades ago, your assessed value may be far below market value. With Prop 19, you can sell and move to a smaller home while keeping the tax savings you’ve built up over the years. Many of Paula’s clients save thousands of dollars per year as a result.
Important Deadlines
Prop 19 filings are time-sensitive. The replacement home must be bought or built within two years of selling the original home, and the claim for the base year value transfer must be filed within three years of buying the replacement. Paula connects her clients with the right tax professionals so neither window is missed.
Orange County 55+ Communities
Paula has in-depth knowledge of the most sought-after senior and active-adult communities throughout Orange County. She will help you find the one that matches your lifestyle, budget, and location preferences.
Laguna Woods Village
The largest senior community in Orange County, with world-class amenities, 200+ clubs, golf, equestrian facilities, and on-site medical services.
Casta del Sol in Mission Viejo
A beloved gated community in a serene lakeside setting, known for its beautiful homes, recreation center, and active social calendar.
Leisure World Seal Beach
A self-contained senior city with its own hospital, 9-hole golf course, multiple pools, and a vibrant community atmosphere.
Trilogy at Glen Ivy
A resort-caliber 55+ community in Corona with a stunning clubhouse, lap pool, fitness center, and countless organized activities.
Newport Beach Condominiums
For seniors who want walkable beach access and luxury finishes, Paula knows the best buildings and best deals in Newport’s premier condo market.
Not Sure? Paula Can Help.
Every senior’s ideal next home is different. Paula listens first, then presents options tailored to your lifestyle, health needs, and budget.
A Network Built for Senior Downsizing
Paula works alongside a trusted network of specialists so that every aspect of your move is handled with care and professionalism.
Estate Sale Specialists
Reputable estate sale professionals who handle decades of belongings with honesty and respect.
Charitable Organizations
Connections to donation organizations and nonprofits that give your cherished items a meaningful second life.
Professional Organizers
Senior move managers and professional organizers who work with compassion to simplify and sort with grace.
Senior Move Specialists
Moving companies experienced with seniors, handling every item carefully and on your preferred schedule.
City-Specific Downsizing Guides
What Our Families Say
Compassionate guidance and exceptional results for every transition.
"We were selling my mother's home as she moved into an independent living facility. Paula and Dawna were professional, knowledgeable and thorough. The house sold immediately at above the asking price and closing was fast and hassle free."
"After our dad passed away, our family had to move our mom to a residential home with caregivers and sell their home."
"I have moved 11 times in the past 30 years and never did I get the service Paula Aragone offered!"
"We spent about $40,000 for a major remodel that I would have expected to cost twice as much. I also would have thought it would take 6 months, but the work was completed in 3 weeks. What's more, that $40,000 remodel increased the value of our home by $100,000."
"Paula helped my mother sell her Villa Park home in July 2024 and we ended up with a better deal than we had hoped for. Most importantly, Paula is an excellent negotiator."
"I don't know if I've ever met a woman with such drive, and focus combined with boundless energy and the kindest heart. She gets it done and makes the process appear seamless."
Senior Downsizing FAQs
The earlier, the better. Most families find that starting 6 to 12 months before your target move date gives you ample time to sort belongings, prepare the home, and make thoughtful financial decisions without feeling rushed. Paula offers complimentary consultations with no obligation, so there is no reason to wait.
Paula has guided hundreds of seniors through this transition and understands that letting go of a family home is deeply emotional. She moves at your pace, listens without judgment, and connects you with professional organizers and estate specialists who work with compassion and professionalism. The goal is to honor what matters most, find good homes for items with sentimental or monetary value, and simplify the process for you and your family every step of the way.
Absolutely. Paula represents both sellers and buyers and is available to guide you through the purchase of your next home, whether that is a condominium in Newport Beach, a detached home in a gated 55+ community, or a home in another part of California. Her deep knowledge of Orange County’s 55+ landscape, combined with her Prop 19 expertise, makes her uniquely qualified to help you find the right destination as well as execute the sale of your current home.
Every situation is different. Paula works with timelines ranging from a few weeks (for seniors who need to move quickly) to 6 to 9 months (for those who prefer a gradual, well-planned transition). She will tailor your sales strategy and listing date to align with your personal schedule and financial goals, not an arbitrary market calendar.
Not necessarily. Paula will assess your property and advise on which improvements deliver the best return on investment and which ones are unnecessary. For seniors who prefer a simpler process, she can structure a sale that minimizes pre-listing work while still achieving a strong price. She also connects clients with trusted contractors and stagers who deliver results on time and on budget.
Yes, absolutely. Proposition 19 allows California homeowners age 55 and older to transfer their current property tax base to a replacement home anywhere in the state, up to three times in their lifetime. This can mean thousands of dollars in annual savings. Paula walks every eligible client through the benefit in plain language and connects them with qualified tax professionals to ensure the filing is handled correctly and on time.
Ready to Begin Your Next Chapter?
Choose the option that feels right for you and your family.