Let’s face it, downsizing is one of the more arduous decisions you will make in your life. As you contemplate moving from a larger home to a smaller one, it will serve you well to look out for a variety of distractions that will be most compellingly presented to you. This will almost always happen and not just once: the more you’ll try to focus on the bigger picture, the harder the detractors will try to divert your attention.

If you have been wondering if downsizing from your larger house to the more compact lifestyle of a retirement community is the right step for you then you are not alone. According to a survey done last year, 52% of Ontario baby boomers (people born between 1946 to 1965) consider big cities unfit for retirement. And so, a majority are considering downsizing and moving out.

You’ve asked and we’ve answered...visit our FAQs page for the response to the following frequently asked question and more.

Question: How can you work all across Ontario? My agent friend says you need to know the local market to get the best price.

When deciding how to manage the real estate aspect of your downsize or of an estate, you can consider three options:

1. For Sale by Owner

2. Traditional Real Estate Agent

3. Integrated Real Estate & Transition Specialist

Imagine you've found the house you want, and it's perfect for you and your family. You examine the house, talk to the owners, think it over, and decide how much you will offer.

Surely, at this late stage there will be no surprises right? 

This is a question I get from time to time - typically when an estate or downsize seller has a familiarity or a relationship with one or more real estate agents already. The fact that a client has been considering agent 1 or 2 for awhile is not a surprise. With what some say is over 48,000 agents in the GTA alone, most people know at least one.

And with the vast majority of real estate advertising being spent on agent promotion - rather than property promotion, it is not uncommon to get the impression that only a select few in your community can get the job done right. Fair thought.

Often, the hardest part of selling your home is getting the house into “sell ready” condition. This can be a stressful, time consuming and, frankly, an overwhelming experience for both you and your family.

Many people don’t know where to begin, which often leads to homes going on the market in a less-than-perfect state. 

One of the more difficult decisions for many people is what to do with the family home when elderly parents are unable to maintain it. The alternatives include selling the house so the parents can move to a condominium or retirement community or upgrading it to allow live-in care.

These decisions should not be rushed. For many, the family home remains their major asset and as a result of the principal residence exemption, it can be sold without paying any income taxes. 

Tendering is the process of purchasing Real Estate through a confidential written offer. Should you wish to purchase a property by tender, prepare your best offer in consultation with your solicitor and/or agent and present it on the tender date. These tenders are then opened with the vendor and real estate agent present.

Auctions have not traditionally been the way people have sold or bought real estate. The online marketplace is growing, and the advantages offered by an online auction are becoming more and more apparent. Let's look at the benefits for both buyers, and sellers of real estate.