Navigating Life’s Changes

Trust is an essential element in any business relationship, and it’s been central to clients’ dealings over the years with Gordon’s Downsizing & Estate Services, a company that serves families throughout southern Ontario with their real estate and downsizing or estate settlement needs. 

Cathie Perkin, a Queen’s University alumna who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1971 and went on to become an instructor at the school, first used Gordon’s services two decades ago when her mother died in Ottawa. “Even though my mother was in her 90s, her death was unexpected,” Perkin says. “She was still living in the home she’d occupied all her life in Ottawa, and I was working at Queen’s. I wasn’t sure how I was going to deal with everything, but I remembered a presentation about Gordon’s that I’d attended around 2000 and decided to contact them. “They told me they could handle the real estate, the contents, anything that needed doing prior to putting the house on the market. They could bring the things I wanted to keep to my home in Kingston and auction off whatever I didn’t want. “A great load was lifted off my shoulders at a time when I was dealing with grief and the loss of a significant person in my life.”As Perkin discovered, Gordon’s is a dedicated one-stop shop for people transitioning through some of the most stressful times of life. The company, which has been in business for over 60 years, provides integrated real estate services to individuals and families dealing with downsizing or estate settlement. 

The seamless assistance Gordon’s provides to its clients is crucial to its success, says company President Adam Gordon. “Our integrated team of experts provides one-stop-shop real estate solutions for downsizers, estate trustees, and powers of attorneys at a difficult time in people’s lives.” In the years that followed, Perkin remained a great proponent of the company’s services and happily recommended them to friends. Fast-forward to spring 2023, and she found reason to call on Gordon’s once again. While looking at Facebook one day, she saw a house for sale that was the right size for her current needs and on a street where she wanted to relocate because it was close to friends. “I wanted to downsize early,” Perkin says. “It suited my health and social needs. I called them and said, “I see this house advertised, please help me out.” Marty Gordon was my real estate agent. He gave me great advice as I moved toward purchasing the new place and got my old place ready for sale. It was on the market for seven days. I had 50 viewings and 12 offers and sold it at a good profit.” Her new house, meanwhile, needed upgrades before she could move in. She had three weeks to accomplish the necessary work.

 The Gordons turned to their contacts in the home renovation field and helped Perkin source companies to redo flooring and repaint. The necessary upgrades were all completed on schedule, and Gordon’s moved her furnishings into the new space. “Everything they said they were going to do, they did,” she says. “I always know that I can trust them: they’re good, honest people throughout the organization. They tell you as it is and do exactly what they say they’re going to do. It’s wonderful to have people come in, take care of things, and you don’t have to worry about any of it. I tell people all the time that it’s the only way to go.