As society evolves, so does the variety of housing models, which were traditionally distinguished by location, components, and type of dwelling. Currently, lifestyle plays a large part in differentiating housing choices, and the right-sizing movement, which optimizes physical space in conjunction with lifestyle goals, is a new housing model that is gaining interest. Since the first-time home buying process can be overwhelming, a creative decision-making tool may offer direction into choosing the right home that is a suitable fit for individuals and families. The key contributions of the research include a home buying preparation aid and a right-sizing teaching tool as well as an organizational approach to designing a decision-making tool. The preliminary results suggest that a decision-making tool could prepare and facilitate the home buying process and create a platform for evaluating one's lifestyle objectives leading to right-sizing embodiment.

Keywords: Right-sizing; first-time homebuyers; creative decision-making tools; lifestyle choices