What's my home worth?
Selling a parent's home

The house goes. The home doesn't.

When it's time to sell Mom or Dad's place, the hard part usually isn't the paperwork. It's the timing, the family, and the memories. I help families through it calmly, one step at a time, so everyone feels heard and nobody feels rushed.

Book a family conversationSee how it works

Serving Stouffville, Newmarket, Aurora, Richmond Hill and the rest of York Region.

Gary McGowan
Sound familiar?

You know a move is coming. You're just not sure where to start.

The house has gotten to be too much. The stairs are harder. Maybe a parent has passed and the other is on their own. Most of the adult kids I talk to are doing their research late at night, trying to figure out how to even bring it up.

"Will Mom and Dad be listened to?"They will. I talk with your parents directly, at their pace, and nothing happens without them understanding it.
"What happens next, and in what order?"You'll get a clear plan: where they move, when the house sells, and who handles the legal and money side.
"How do we keep the family on the same page?"Everyone gets the same numbers and the same updates. I talk with each decision-maker so nobody is left out.
How it works

Five steps, no surprises.

Every family is different, but the order rarely changes. Here's how we'd walk through it together.

01A family conversationOne call with whoever needs to be involved: your parents, you, your siblings. I listen first, answer questions, and learn what matters most to your family. No forms, no pressure.
02Get clear on the numbersWhat the home is likely worth, what similar homes nearby have actually sold for, and what the next place might cost. Real sold prices, explained in plain English.
03Plan the orderWhere your parents are moving and when, timing the sale around care and the move, and getting the lawyer, power of attorney or estate paperwork lined up early so nothing holds things up later.
04Get the home ready, without a big renovationClearing out decades of belongings is the part families dread. I'll help you decide what's worth doing and connect you with people I trust to help with the rest.
05Sell, close and move, with updates every weekWe list, walk through offers together, and close. Your parents can read every page on paper if they'd like. And you'll hear from me every week, even when there's nothing new.
A story from one of these sales

Five decision-makers. One printer.

I'd known this family since high school. They always said that when their parents were ready to sell, they'd call me. And they did.

Their mom had passed away the year before. Their dad and all four adult kids were part of the decision. I walked their dad through every step, and when the offers came in, I brought a printer to the house so he could hold the agreement and read it on paper, the way he was comfortable.

We worked through multiple offers, got one accepted, and closed without a hitch. Meet people where they are. That's the whole job.

"You made that such a stress-free moment and really easy for us to make decisions."
A seller familyOn the sale of their parents' home
Why families choose me

Calm when it counts. Clear the whole way.

I've been licensed in Ontario since 2012 and I train other Realtors across Canada on pricing and negotiation. But the thing families tell me most is simpler: I was calm, and I made the decisions easy.

More about me →
"No news is still news."

You'll hear from me every week, even when nothing is happening. You'll always know where things stand.

Your parents are part of it

Education first, never pressure. Everything is explained, and your parents set the pace.

A team on the ground

I work with a broker-owner partner and a local team in York Region, so the details are covered even if your family is spread out.

The right people, introduced

Lawyers, accountants, movers and others I trust, when you need them. You decide who you work with.

Questions families ask

The questions I hear most often.

Mom or Dad isn't ready to talk about moving. Where do we start?

With a conversation, not a listing. Most families I work with spend weeks or months talking it through first. I'm happy to just answer questions, show you what homes nearby have sold for, and help you think about timing. There's no rush and no pressure from me.

Can I sell my parent's home if I have power of attorney?

Often, yes. In Ontario, the person named in a valid continuing power of attorney for property can usually sign on a parent's behalf while the parent is alive. A power of attorney ends when the person passes away, and from then on the estate trustee handles the sale. Every document is different, so your real estate lawyer should review it early, before we list.

What if the home is part of an estate?

Then the estate trustee (the executor) is the one who sells, and depending on the will and the assets, a certificate of appointment (probate) may be needed first. Your estate lawyer will tell you exactly what's required. I'll work around that timeline, and nothing gets listed until the paperwork is in place.

Will there be capital gains tax on Mom and Dad's house?

If the home was your parents' principal residence for the years they owned it, the principal residence exemption often covers the gain. Rentals, cottages, or a home that sat empty can change that. This is a question for an accountant, and I'm glad to introduce you to one.

My siblings and I don't agree. Can you help with that?

This is honestly the part I'm best at. I talk with each decision-maker, put the same numbers and options in front of everyone, and keep everyone in the loop, so nobody feels steamrolled or left out.

We live far away. Can we still do this?

Yes. A lot of the families I help are spread across the country. I work with a broker-owner partner and a local team on the ground in York Region, and we keep you updated every week by phone, text or email, whatever works for you.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Your lawyer and accountant should confirm what applies to your family.

Start with a conversation

Tell me a little about your family's situation.

I'll reach out personally, usually within a day. We'll talk about where things stand and what the options are. No pressure, and no obligation.

Rather talk now? Call or text 647-371-1944.

See what homes nearby sold for

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