Visit the new FAQ page of our website to learn the most common questions we are asked about downsizing and estate settlement related topics along with our answers.

You’ve decided to downsize, found your new home, and now it’s time to prepare to move. The size of the move and how quickly you want to make decisions about what you are going to take and what you would like to do with your additional stuff dictates how quickly move preparation will take. At Gordon’s we create a custom moving plan for each of our customers once we understand your goals and desired timelines.

The move preparation plan includes the following tasks:

Oftentimes, when downsizing or managing an estate, you need to donate items. Knowing where to donate what items requires some research. Based on our experience working in the Greater Toronto Area, below is a helpful list of donation options to consider.

“How much are your services going to cost aside from the real estate commission?” is a question that we hear on a daily basis when meeting with potential clients. It’s natural that people want to know how much our assistance with their move and/or personal content management needs are going to cost. One answer is - probably less than trying to manage the work yourself in fragments. And - what will it cost you if things aren’t managed well? Managing the contents and move well, which are often aspects with the highest complexity are precursors to a smooth real estate closing, which is the real pay off. In other words, how much is a smooth real estate closing process worth to you? Let me elaborate...

There are various types of appraisals that one may require at various times in their life. At times we criticise the fact that an appraisal is not worth the paper it’s written on, but that is typically a misunderstanding. Essentially, there are different reasons why one might wish to have an appraisal completed and different types of appraisals serve different purposes. Below is a general discussion of different types of appraisals and their purposes in order to inform your broader understanding.

Most of us think of an appraisal as a professional assessment of what something is “worth” in monetary terms. In general terms this is correct, however let’s discuss the various approaches to conducting an appraisal or assigning value and the implications of each. Three main approaches to assigning value, ordered from typically highest to lowest relative valuations, include: replacement value, fair market value and liquidation/auction value.

Gordon's customer Bob Rice talks about his experience working with the Gordon's team who helped him tackle his downsize with confidence and ease.

If you or someone you know needs the support of a trusted partner to help with their downsize, contact us for a free no obligation consultation.

You’ve decided it’s time to downsize and begin to think about your next home. Where do you start your research? Typically our clients choose to move to one of the following: smaller home, a condo, seniors apartment, active adult lifestyle community or a retirement residence. Below are some suggestions and resources to help you research and narrow down your options.

When is the right time to downsize? The facts are that according to the 2016 Canadian census, 6.5% of seniors 65 years and older live in nursing or senior’s retirement residences. Not surprisingly, this figure jumps to 30% of Canadians 85 years and older. In addition, due to improved health, longer life expectancies, and the proliferation of home care options and community support services for seniors (you can visit a Mosaic Community Resource Centre to obtain details on these), about 55% of Canadians 55 years or older indicate that they intend on remaining in their homes as long as possible. So what does all this mean?

We’ve all heard stories of the garage sale that served up a $250,000 painting for a dollar. Anytime the downsize or estate settlement process takes place without the involvement of an Appraiser, the risk of losing potentially valuable things forever goes up. The fact is, that the vast majority of people downsizing or managing an estate are told to throw out hundreds of items averaging $50-$100 in value because the team of experts they’ve hired to guide them through the processes don’t include specialists who are qualified in personal property valuation. Just like you don’t hire a plumber to fix your car or a mechanic to build you a house, unless the professionals you partner with to assist with your downsize or estate settlement projects are appropriately qualified, you could be missing out on unrealized value.

At Gordon’s Downsizing and Estate Services we are passionate about educating on downsizing related topics. Our team members speak at engagements all over Ontario to those interested in: downsize planning, move management, supporting loved ones through a downsize, retirement living, estate management, real estate considerations when downsizing and contents appraisals.

One of the popular themes of these speaking engagements is downsize planning because it is the key for remaining in control when it comes time to downsize. As French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944) said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”