If you’re one of the growing number of retirees looking to downsize, now is the time to consider such a move.

Perhaps you have been put off such a change because your house has fallen in value in recent times, but on the other side of the coin, the smaller home you buy now will probably be at the best price it is ever likely to be.

The way to secure a win-win situation is to buy a smaller home now, while prices are low and rent out your home until next year when the higher end of the market place should begin to see price rises.

"It is all a matter of timing," says Jo Richards at Hillreed Homes.

"As a development company we have, since November of last year, reduced the price of many of our properties in line with the current market place, but recently there’s been talk of possible rises of 10 to 15 per cent by the end of 2009 and certainly we can see that in Kent supply and demand will have this inevitable result."

One choice could be apartments at Orchard House, Hazlitt Drive, Maidstone.

The price of a one-bedroom apartment with parking is £164,950; two-bedroom apartments with en suite and parking are from £179,950. The show apartment is open Mondays 1pm to 5pm, and Thursdays to Sundays 10am to 5pm. Call 01622 765800.