When Stephen Vanner’s mother passed away in Kingston, he knew precisely which company could best assist him in his role as executor of her estate. Stephen turned to the team at Gordon’s Downsizing and Estate Services, a family business that serves seniors, executors and powers of attorney across Ontario. Gordon’s, which has been in business for over six decades, offers bundled services specifically for executors and downsizers. After moving clients to new homes, they secure,

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 decad

“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.

Why Executors and Lawyers look to Gordon's to handle the complexities of estate management.

Leverage your loved ones to help determine how you’re really doing. For most people, the holiday season is an exciting time of year! The delicious food, seasonal festivities, and quality time with family, friends, and other loved ones. The holidays provide an opportunity to catch up with the people close to us that we may not usually see as often as we would like. These visits allow for great memories to be made. But after time apart, it can also bring to light some challeng

By now most sellers have heard the market has changed and is changing. Downward. Depending on where in Ontario your property is, the market will see nuances relating to volume of property coming on, rural or urban, condo or low density, waterfront, etc. The market however is certainly down from its peak which in many markets was late February with a lot of momentum remaining through March and early April. By May, it was becoming pretty clear that aggressive offers from desper

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

Prearrange the settlement of the overwhelming physical asset side of your estate. Give your executor a real team of experts to guide them through the task of settling your estate. Gordon's will provide your executor with a predictable estate settlement plan based on having guided 1000s of estate executors through the experience of managing the flow and distribution of real and personal property owned by the estate. We'll steer your estate executor away from trouble, avoidin

Being an executor of someone’s will is much harder than most people realize. The honour of being named by a loved one is quickly replaced by the stress of having to figure out your various responsibilities. Restrictions imposed by COVID-19 haven’t helped matters. You are likely working from home trying to figure out Zoom, chasing deadlines and are adversely impacted by reduced hours of most suppliers and the complete unavailability of others. By now you are well aware that th

The move management industry has evolved greatly since it’s inception approximately 20 years ago. Move Managers are professionals trained in working with people, in particular seniors, who are transitioning to a new phase of their lives either via downsizing and moving to new accommodations or aging in place. Move managers help their clients navigate the emotional, physical and logistical challenges of making stage of life transitions. They help manage the preparation for and

Being an estate trustee and executor can be a stressful role. Bearing that level of responsibility, especially during a time of grieving, can be overwhelming. Add in other obstacles, such as family conflict, a lack of experience in managing an estate or living far away from the estate itself, and it suddenly becomes all-engulfing. These feelings are common. That is why, during this time, having someone to support you and be your trusted partner can be so important. While som

As an Estate Executor, you have a big job to do. Someone has entrusted you to complete an important task. How do you find a real estate agent that you can trust? When it comes to real estate, there is little more important than trust. So, who do you trust in a real estate relationship? This may sound like a silly question but the answer is simple; the agent you hired. I know, you may not trust them completely. You think they may be just out for a fast commission. You may be “

We equip you, as the Estate Executor, with due diligence for a job well done. When you're managing an estate the goal of achieving a firm efficient sale on the home is even more important. You may have been told that during the sale process it's the home buyer who is responsible for the home inspection. Maybe you paid for a home inspection when you first bought your current property. It is generally accepted that a home inspection is something only the buyer should do. This i

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

You’ve asked and we’ve answered...visit our FAQs page for the response to the following frequently asked question and more. Question: Appraisals - Do I need them? Answer: “In a word: Yes. If probate is required an appraisal will help protect you from government oversight that may find fault with how you value estate assets. For the cost of doing it right and sleeping easier, we would always suggest getting certified appraisals for the real estate and personal property owned

An estate executor is tasked with the unenviable job of settling the final matters of a family member or trusted friend. Most estate executors have never been in the position of settling an estate and are overwhelmed with all of the details, politics and responsibility. Being named an executor is an honour of the highest degree of personal trust that could be bestowed upon a family member or friend. At Gordon’s Estate Services we understand the commitment it takes to accept t

Are you getting ready to move into a retirement community and want to make sure you have everything you need once you get there? Having completed hundreds of moves for our clients over the years, use the checklist below to help get organized. Personal Items: Clothes/Shoes/Boots/Coats/Hats/Gloves Toiletries Medications Little sewing kit Jewelry Photo Albums Suitcase/travel bag Personal paperwork i.e. passport, wills, income tax paperwork, etc. Furniture & Decor: Bed/Dresser/Ni

When considering a retirement community, it's not just about what you need, but also what you want. There are a wealth of options available for you, so it’s important to take some time to figure out what it is that is essential when considering retirement living. Are you ready to downsize? Fortunately, every retirement community offers a range of services that can be geared to your individual tastes and needs. What do You Need? It's usually a good idea to start with any part