Downsizing is more than just a trend; it's a smart financial move. Many homeowners delay this decision, hoping to maximize their property's value. But waiting can lead to hidden costs that outweigh potential gains.

“Many people think saving a couple of thousand dollars (or a few) is a big deal to their parents, money-conscious sellers, or an estate. Often, what first appears to be savings turns into NOT savings and takes much longer, ends up costing as much or more, with a lot more stress and lost time.” Manson Slik, Broker of record, Gordon’s Downsizing and Estate Services Everyone is interested in good economics, good value, a fair cost when they buy services and a good price when th

Gordon's downsizing and estate services helps families with a one-stop approach to managing life's changes.

Gordon's guides families through the difficult task of downsizing and estate management.

For more than forty years, Barry Gordon , Partner and CEO of Gordon’s Downsizing & Estate Services Ltd., has advised thousands of clients through transitions, relocations and estate settlements. His book, Avoiding Chaos, covers 8 discussions on downsizing and estate settlement that will help prospective downsizers to better understand the scope of one of the most significant life events they may encounter. There are several options available, issues to look out for, and decis

Meet Arjun and Padmini, clients of Gordon's Estate Services "We waited a long time to do this thing, we had been procrastinating because we had a 5 bedroom and lived there for 36 years and you accumulate a lot of things. It was scary to actually go through all of the things and decide what to take and what not to take, and that’s why you postpone for as long as possible. But, the time comes when you have to move, so we decided to move. It was a good decision." "If I were to g

Downsizing is no small feat. There are many steps that need to be taken from sorting through and packing up your belongings to finding a new home and selling your old one. At Gordon’s, we are here to help, whether it is managing the whole process or helping with just a few of the details. Are you ready to downsize? Get in touch today! Here are just some of the many services that we offer to help simplify downsizing , and make the entire process easier for you and your loved

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 proce

As you move into your retirement, the idea of taking care of a large family home can become unattractive. You want to spend your hard-earned savings and new-found freedom relaxing, spending time with family and doing the things you love. The thought of downsizing , however, can be an equally daunting and emotional consideration. While downsizing is not the right solution for everyone, it does offer a number of benefits, some of which you may have yet to consider. 1. More Mone

Are you feeling that there's too much unused space in your home, such as empty bedrooms and unused recreation rooms? Do you no longer feel like putting the time and effort into maintaining your property, or having concerns about accessibility, entranceways, staircases, and fixtures? These are just some of the many reasons that you may be considering downsizing. Maintenance-free living, being closer to family, an improved quality of life, accessibility, and more freedom, are j

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 b

When is the right time to downsize? This can be a difficult question for both seniors and their families. According to the Canadian census ,  6.5% of seniors who are 65 years and older live in seniors retirement homes or assisted living residences. Not surprisingly, this figure jumps to 30% Canadians once they reach 85 years and older. In addition, due to improved health, longer life expectancy and increasing availability of home care options, more than half of Canadians 55 y

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. Donation Boxes - Several organizations have donation boxes around the city for gently used clothing, shoes and housewares i.e. Diabetes Canada Clothesline, OASIS Clothing Bank , and Children’s Wish Foundation to name a coupl

I've met a lot of older folks who don't really understand the Internet, but they know it's a great tool. I have a little story that helps illustrate how surprising the Internet can be. One of our clients had an auction with us, and even though his son was in California, he could find the auction no problem. This fellow said, “So your Internet, it's not just local then is it?” So I told him we pay extra to get it that far. Young people take it for granted that they can buy a b

Are you beginning to consider downsizing for your parents? Having this conversation with them is not easy but we offer advice based on our years of experience working with families just like yours. Not having timely access to medical support, not being able to move around the house, too much maintenance, being too far from you – as the child of an aging parent, there are several reasons that you may feel that their current home is no longer the right one for them. You may be