Manson Slik

Child Chasing?

01-09-09

We find as people age today, they chase their children and grandchildren around the country. Not too long ago, families lived in the same place from birth to death. Today, this is an unusual phenomenon. When children leave the nest today, they don't move to the next twig or branch anymore, they move to a whole new tree and more often a whole forest away.

Every holiday is a travelling exercise or a non-event because the kids are too far apart. Your son has set you up with an internet account and a computer and another account on some website so you can see pictures of your grandchildren and keep up to date on the changes in your family's life. It is cool, but foreign to what you know as "family experience". You see online photos and online movies of your grandchildren growing up without their grandparents. You are happy to see your children doing well in the far off places they have chosen to live, but sad you are unable to be with them.

Often it takes a spouse to die before there is a lasting family reunion and the remaining spouse (most often mom) moves nearby to be with whichever child they are closest with or who has the most and youngest grandchildren or who is likely to be the best care giver in an aging environment as the family comes to terms with an aging parent or parents. (By the way, this is usually a daughter).

If we had advice to give as a company that serves seniors downsizing and sees and experiences a lot of situations, it would be this: If you are going to chase your children, do it while you are still a couple and do it together. You'll enjoy it more together. You will be "used" by your children to take care of the kids and you'll enjoy it. Moving is always a bit scary and an emotional time regardless of your life stage, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming or complicated if you have professional help that makes it easy.

Don't wait until it is too late to be with your family, do it when you can enjoy the experience together as a couple of grandparents. 1,000's of grandparents in Canada (and around the world) chase their children every year and although it is a new and foreign concept, it is a good trend that serves all of the family well.

Don't procrastinate your family life away. We can help you sell your home while dealing with and taking charge of all the seemingly overwhelming transition and moving details in flash. Really!

Happy child chasing!

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Manson Slik
Gordon's Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage

Manson Slik: Real Estate Brokerage in Ameliasburgh, ON

Office: (613) 542-0963

Mobile: (613) 243-1777
Secondary: (613) 961-7245

About Us:

Occupation: Estate Services.

Professions Include: Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Auctioneer, Personal Property Appraiser and Auctioneer, Senior Move Manager, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, Certified Estate Specialist, International Speaker & Business Consultant, Business Owner

Offices Located in: Kingston, ON, Canada and Prince Edward County / Belleville, ON, Canada.

Estate Services Market Area Served: Toronto to Ottawa, ON

Areas of Expertise

Gordon's Estate Services provides Integrated Real Estate and Transition Solutions to Seniors Downsizing and Executors. This means we take on the entire challenge of selling your real estate, while handling every last detail of your move - all included in the real estate transaction. Our company has been built by design and our employees trained specifically to serve almost exclusively the real estate and transition needs of this market. Real estate experts help you get the best market value for your home quickly and efficiently. Transition Specialists take great care managing the tasks of sorting, packing, shipping, moving, cleaning, garbage removal, property management, house checking and managing the disposition or sale of your extra assets.

Our process ensures your complete satisfaction because it is based on a simple, yet powerful promise - well tell you exactly what we are going to do, when and how we are going to do it, and then we'll do everything exactly as promised.

CONSULT: We meet with you first with on simple objective: to listen fully to your needs so we can meet every single one of them, and design the real estate and transition solution that is right for you.

PREPARE: We will beautify your home for sale, clean, sort and pack your belongings, determine the best way to market and sell your home, help you deal with all the red tape - we take care of all the details so you can focus on the big picture and stay in control.

EXECUTE: Sell your home, pack and ship your things, help move you into your new home, and so much more. We help with whatever you need to move on with peace of mind, knowing all the important details are being handled smoothly and with unconditional care.

MOVE ON: Your transition happens seamlessly, effortlessly, so you can bet back to your life!

If you want to purchase a smaller home or a condominium, we can provide qualified buyer representation services to help you find the very best living space available in your desired neighbourhood and price range. Every REALTOR® in the Gordon's Estate Services network has earned the "Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)" designation demonstrating the necessary knowledge and expertise to counsel clients age 50-plus through major financial and lifestyle transitions involved in relocating, refinancing, or selling the family home.

If your next move is to an apartment, independent or assisted living facility, retirement home or care facility, we can help with that too. 4 of our senior staff members are "Senior Move Managers" and our Estate Services Coordinator is a "Certified Relocation and Transition Specialist" the highest industry designation obtainable in the senior services sector. Whatever or where ever your move, call Gordon's Estate Services first.

We help people and families just like you every day that have many or all of the same living space and transition needs. Gordon's Estate Services has served thousands of seniors in your situation and we've kept in touch with many of them. Our past and present customers and their families continue to tell us what they like, what they don't, what has changed and what is new and better in housing geared to seniors. In addition, we have made it our business to stay on top of local, provincial and national housing and living space trends as they pertain to seniors and varying types of independent and assisted living accommodations.

Once we have assisted you to secure your new home or living space, we'll help you with the move including sorting, packing, unpacking in your new home, donating, disposing and/or selling extra things, cleaning and getting your existing home ready for sale, property management and the efficient sale of your home.

Gordon's Estate Services has been in business in Ontario for 52 years and our firm has transitioned literally 1,000's of seniors downsizing and estate executors. There are NO commissioned sales people on staff, everyone on our team of 26 works on a salary or wage. Our company is widely known for our successes conducting real estate auctions in both Canada and the USA. Our 52 year old firm has successfully sold over 2,000 properties by auction AND we also list and sell as many homes per year on the regular MLS listing system as we auction. Our multi-dimensional company provides choices to our Seller's and they get to decide which is the best method of sale for them.

Gordon's Estate Services Ltd. operates and manages a real estate firm, a real estate auction firm, Eastern Ontario's largest personal property auction centre, a personal property appraisal business, a cleaning company, sorting and packing company, shipping company, moving company, property management company and home staging company and we manage a number of approved service providers that have taken our own in house service providers training course. Our staff are always dressed in company uniform and always look the same when entering our customers homes, so we are easily identifiable.

One or more staff in our firm hold the following professional designations: Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Certified Estate Specialist (CES), Seniors Move Manager (NASMM), Certified Relocation and Transition Specialist (CRTS), Graduate Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA), Canadian Person Property Appraiser (CPPA), Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI), Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate (AARE).

In addition to being a business partner in Gordon's Estate Services, Manson Slik is a course instructor for the National Auctioneers Association Education Institute in the Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate designation program and Manson is also a regular seminar speaker in both Canada and the USA on both real estate auctions and the estate services industry. Manson has conducted seminars and courses in 20 different US states and consults on a regular basis with real estate and auction firms in Canada and the USA.

Testimonials

"You have no idea how much I appreciate all of the efforts made to make certain that everything was dealt with in a timely manner - and so little was expected of me. My sincere thanks go to your company and all of the staff for making the sale of the house and the subsequent move a satisfying experience." - Helen Kearney (2007 - Kingston, ON)

"I am still amazed with the process and the outcome. It was great to work with someone who has a plan and successfully executes it." - Diane Milne, Estate Trustee (2004 - Prince Edward County, ON)

"I am extremely pleased that I chose Gordon's Estate Services. Everything was handled professionally, efficiently and promptly. I would highly recommend using Gordon's Estate Services. I value professionalism, honest and ambition in business and I found this business philosophy with Gordon's Estate Services and believe it to be a vital key in their successes." Liane Kivela (2004 - Ottawa, ON)

"I particularly appreciated the sensitivity displayed given the difficult time this represented for our family. You have helped bring closure to a difficult process. Thank you for your assistance." - Frank McAuley (1995 - Prescott, ON)

"Very impressed with Manson's professionalism. We give your company a perfect score of 10 out of 10. We loved the company uniform of orange ties and matching socks." - Jim and Eileen Ross (2007 - Belleville, ON)

"Your firm was professional from start to finish and you did everything you said you were going to do, when you said you were going to do it. I would certainly recommend your services to any one with real estate to sell. It was truly a pleasure to have been able to work with your firm." - George Hasenberger (2003 - Napanee, ON)

"There are not words to adequately express my satisfaction with and the great appreciation for your help and service over the past couple of months. Your warm, friendly, caring, efficient, objective manner along with excellent, honest and timely communications is so invaluable and appreciated." Cathie Perkin (2002 - Ottawa, ON)

"Here we are barely 2 months and a 1/2 after our 1st phone call, amazed at how Gordon's Estate Services handled our situation so well and hassle-free with the whole experience leading to a positive outcome. As customers, we always felt part of a professional team working toward a common goal, a team that knows its business and is prepared to put in the time and effort to make things happen to the satisfaction of all parties invlolved. Gerry and I would have no reservation whatsoever in recommending Gordon's Estate Services to anyone." Daniéle Geoffrion (2004 - Perth, ON)

"We will be recommending your services to others and hope to be able to do business with you again. All the best to you and your team." Karen Best and Michael Tiernay (1997 - Kingston, ON)

"In 1991 we retained Gordon's to market our property in Manotick, ON. Previous to this the property had been exensively marketed and viewed by many people over a one year period, but did not sell. Gordon's was able to create a sense of urgency in the marketplace forcing those interested to take action. Their activities produced an extremely successful sale of our property. I would recommend their services to anyone." Mario Staltari (1992 - Manotick, ON)

"What is outstanding is the service Gordon's Estate Services has provided to us throughout the whole process of dealing with my father's condo and contents. We are very grateful. Also, Manson, your representation with respect to the sale of the condo has been exemplary. I would not hesitate to recommend Gordon's Estate Services; in fact, I have already told friends how pleased we are." - Lynne Poole (2006 - Kingston, ON)

"I was very pleased with Gordon's Estate Services. Please extend a big thank you to the entire team for a wonderful service at a difficult and trying time." Peter McHale (2007 - Picton, ON)

"I wish I had thought of an Auction first. Gordon's Estate Services was immediately on the case. Rather than feeling at the mercy of Realtors I was now dealing with eager, knowledgeable, and obviously experienced professionals. A date was fixed for the auction, a timetable laid out and acted upon in a timely fashion. I was genuinely looked after at every turn. The support was both practical and mental. It must have been obvious to Gordon's Estate Services that this seemed, from my point of view, rather risky and unsettling. The auction was orchestrated by a team of three. It was about twenty minutes of high drama, the auctioneers interacting with each other in a way that had demanded research of the property, knowledge of each others strengths during their concerted selling strategy, and an intuitive grasp of the present unfolding situation. I don't think anyone could have done better. I was pleased with the outcome and would therefore highly recommend Gordon's Estate Services for selling a property." Professor David Andrew (2007 - Kingston, ON)

"We have found the Gordon's Estate Services team to be very professional and innovative in their marketing and selling techniques in order to achieve maximum value with real estate auctions." Ken W. Stewart, Royal Bank (1997 - Kingston, ON)

"I would like to compliment the Gordon's team for their excellent work. This whole process of settling a parent's estate is an onerous task to say the least. The Gordon's team made it as easy as it could be made. I have gone over the whole process over and over again to see if I could make improvements and I really can't come up with suggestions. Everyone that I came into contact with were polite, organized and business like... including all the nice packing ladies. Everyone knew their job. You delivered what you said you would and perhaps a little more. Along with being honest about the process there was a sensitivity given the nature of the circumstances. Your service shows that the Gordon's team have developed an excellent product to offer to clients. Manson, thank you for allowing me to make my own decisions without undue pressure. You are a very reasonable Realtor/person. I have been telling people about your service and will continue to do so." - Karen Bockus (2006 - Kingston, ON)

"From the moment we accepted Gordon's Estate Services help, we felt supported. This took a huge weight from our shoulders and we were relieved that our affairs were in the hands of qualified professionals. It is difficult to put a price on mental / emotional health and well-being but we felt that the services provided were invaluable, not to mention you had the house sold in a week. The slogan says it all - We Help, You Move On" - Lee and Gary Jasman (2007 - Belleville, ON)

"I found it easy to compare regular real estate vs. Gordon's Real Estate Auction services having had a personal experience with a real estate listing just prior to our real estate auction experience with your firm. There is no doubt in my mind that that when it comes time to sell again, it will be a Gordon's Real Estate Auction." Merrilees Muir (2007 - Kingston, ON)

"Thank you for helping me through the difficult task of selling the house and conents of my mother's estate. Everyone should be so lucky to find Gordon's Estate Services. After experiencing your services first hand, I know this is by far the best, most professional and most economically beneficial way to settle an estate with a house and chattels" Rosalie Graham (1996 - Ottawa, ON)

"Throughout the entire process, the quality of advice, service and professionalism brought to bear by Gordon's staff was beyond our expectations. We would recommend to anyone the services of this fine and personable company and would be happy to offer further comment to any future prospective clients." Fred McConnell (1997 - Napanee, ON)

"We chose Gordon's Estate services purely by accident. I called Alicia Gordon initially to discuss some antique furniture that I wished to have auctioned. That was my first step in getting ready to sell my home. To my surprise when Alicia came to visit she explained a new concept in home selling which fit our needs to a tee. We wanted in. Within a day or two we met with Barry and Alicia, given a comprehensive package with an explanation of everything we needed to know about the team that would be selling our house for us. Along with the package, the process was explained clearly and in a manner that was easily understood. We signed the papers and the work began. Barry and Alicia went back to the office to get started and we were given some homework of our own to do. We were pleased to see that our input on how we felt about our house and reasons that we felt it would be a good investment to a prospective buyer were taken into consideration.

Next we met Manson Slik the agent who would be representing us. He came well equipped with documentation on the present real estate market in our area and how we fit into this market. We discussed price and when it was all said and done we felt very secure and confident with this man who would be acting on our behalf.

Now we were ready to meet Allyson James and Cathy Gordon, who would help to coordinate the inside of our home. With ease, grace and a wonderful sense of humor they organized the many items that we had collected over the years, into categories that would be going to new owners, to auction and items that we would be keeping. They displayed our home to show it in its best light and to emphasize all of its wonderful features. Allyson and Cathy made what would have been an enormous and stressful job for me, come together with ease. Once the job was done they came through the house for one final inspection before the house was to be listed. This time they brought Kate Innes, Marketing Coordinator to market and advertise our home and property. She did such a beautiful job in seeing our house and writing about it, that I was touched. She is a true professional.

I felt that it was important to give a description of what each member of the team does and how our transition came together. By the time the house was listed we had met with each member of our team, we had a home inspection, the floor plans done, a survey completed, and a history of our taxes and utilities was assembled.

Our description of our Gordon's team was that of a" well oiled machine". They worked together, they knew what the other members of the team were doing at a given time, their communication skills were tremendous, and we always felt that we were in the loop and part of the team. Every real estate transaction should be as simple and non-stressful as the Gordon's team has made it. They have a wonderful work ethic and we felt that they were exuberant and hard working to make our transition a smooth one. When I think of the Gordon's team I will always remember their smiling faces and easy manner.

When asked if we would recommend Gordon's to others, we would and we have. We can't believe our good fortune in finding this team of individuals.

We sincerely wish to thank Barry, Alicia, Manson, Allyson, Cathy, Kate and the rest of the team for a job well done." Sharon Esford (2009 - Kingston, ON)