Part of Downsizing.com.au’s “TrueCost of Downsizing” series — helping Australians move with clarity and confidence.
For many Australians approaching retirement, downsizing is no longer just about finding a smaller place to live—it’s about unlocking lifestyle, freedom and financial security. Yet for all the promise, the process has long been tangled in uncertainty. Entry fees, exit fees, deferred management fees, and ongoing charges can leave even the savviest buyers guessing what they’ll truly pay, and what they’ll keep.
Now, a new digital tool is changing that. TrueCost, powered by VillageGuru and available exclusively on Downsizing.com.au, brings unprecedented transparency to one of life’s biggest financial and emotional transitions.
“TrueCost gives you a clear, personalised breakdown of what your move will really cost—before you sign anything.”
A smarter way to move
For Future Thinkers—people researching years before they plan to move—it provides a reality check and peace of mind.
Every TrueCost report models your unique scenario, showing:
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Entry and ongoing fees for the property
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Exit or Deferred Management Fees (DMF)
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Potential equity on exit
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The impact on your Age Pension or Rent Assistance eligibility
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Buy-back timeframes and resale assumptions
In plain English, TrueCost translates industry jargon into the only language that matters—your financial future.
Why transparency matters now
In July 2025, the federal government updated the “extra allowable amount” under the Age Pension assets test to $258,000. This threshold determines whether downsizers are classed as homeowners or non-homeowners, influencing their pension and rent assistance eligibility.
Many Australians don’t realise that even if they don’t own the unit title in a retirement village, Centrelink may still treat them as homeowners—depending on how much they pay upfront.
It’s precisely these nuances that TrueCost was built to simplify. A personalised TrueCost report does the math instantly, showing how your entry payment affects your pension and what you could receive in rent assistance.
“Transparency turns uncertainty into confidence—and empowers smarter, fairer choices.”
Real Australians, real insight
Jenny and Bob, both 68 and self-described “Planners” were weighing two retirement villages on the Sunshine Coast. Each required an entry payment but the TrueCost reports revealed very different exit outcomes. One offered a guaranteed 90-day buy-back, while the other required refurbishment costs and resale risk. The difference? Nearly $90,000 in final equity.
“That report changed everything,” Jenny said. “It showed us the real numbers, not just the marketing gloss. We still wanted the lifestyle—but we also wanted to know what we’d actually have left.”
Their experience is typical of thousands of Australians seeking more transparency before committing to a retirement move. Code of Conduct | Retirement Living
Confidence for every persona
TrueCost isn’t only for retirees who already have spreadsheets of projections.
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Active Lifestyle Seekers use it to balance their dream coastal lifestyle with financial peace of mind.
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Supportive Children use it to help parents navigate complex decisions with confidence.
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Cautious Planners appreciate seeing the long-term outcomes in black and white before signing.
Regardless of where people are in their journey, TrueCost provides something universal: empowerment through information.
How to access TrueCost
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Visit Downsizing.com.au.
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Look for listings with the TrueCost badge.
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Tick “Request a TrueCost Report.”
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Receive your personalised Village Report within minutes.
Each report is free, easy to understand, and unique to your situation.
The future of transparent downsizing
For two decades, Downsizing.com.au has been the trusted voice for Australians exploring their next life chapter. With the introduction of TrueCost, it’s closing the information gap that has long defined the sector.
Transparency builds confidence—and confidence drives better decisions. As more operators adopt TrueCost, the industry moves toward a future where buyers can compare not just lifestyle and location, but real financial outcomes.
For Australians planning to downsize in 2025 and beyond, TrueCost isn’t just a feature—it’s a financial safety net. For further detail information on what the report contains. https://www.villageguru.com.au
