For many families, spending time together over the holidays brings meaningful connection — but it can also bring new awareness. You may have noticed a loved one struggling with daily tasks, memory, mobility, or overall safety in ways that weren’t as clear before.

If you’re now facing the reality that your parent or loved one may need retirement living, long-term care, or memory care, you may also be asking an overwhelming question: What do we do with their home?

For families across Simcoe County, this is a deeply emotional and complex transition. At The Weeks Team, we understand that these situations require empathy, understanding, and care — not pressure.

Planning to sell your home, or help someone else sell theirs? The Insider’s Guide To Selling is a free resource that takes you step-by-step while experiencing a seamless transition.

It’s a Life Transition, Not Just a Real Estate Decision

Moving a loved one into long-term care, retirement living, or memory care is rarely a single decision. It often unfolds in stages, involving medical assessments, family conversations, legal planning, and emotional adjustments.

Real estate decisions frequently arise alongside:

• Care placement assessments
• Hospital discharges or health changes
• Financial and legal planning
• Emotional discussions with parents and siblings

Our role is to support families through the real estate portion of this process, while respecting everything else that is happening at the same time.

A realistic estimate is essential to sell your home in any market. Find out what your property is worth by booking a free evaluation.

A Care-Informed Approach to Real Estate

Danielle Weeks brings a unique perspective to this work. In addition to being a licensed REALTOR®, she holds a degree in Gerontology, with an understanding of:

• Aging-related transitions
• Long-term care systems in Ontario
• Retirement and assisted living options
• Memory care considerations
• Family dynamics during times of change

This background allows real estate conversations to be approached with sensitivity to both the practical and emotional realities families face when supporting an aging loved one.

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Are you looking for even more tips and advice to get through the downsizing process? Start with the posts below:

• Why Downsizing in Barrie Is a Smart Move
• How Does a Reverse Mortgage Work in Canada?
• Understanding Legal Authority When Selling a Parent’s Home

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Important Steps to Consider Before Selling a Parent’s Home

Before listing a loved one’s home, families in Simcoe County often benefit from understanding a few key steps:

1. Clarifying Decision-Making Authority

Understanding who has the authority to make decisions about the property is an important first step. This may be the homeowner, someone acting under a Power of Attorney for Property, or an estate trustee. A legal professional can help confirm this.

2. Understanding Care Needs and Timing

Different care options — respite care, retirement living, long-term care, or memory care — come with different timelines and financial considerations. Understanding these early can help inform real estate decisions without rushing.

3. Considering Emotional Readiness

For many seniors, the family home represents independence, identity, and decades of memories. A paced, respectful approach can make a meaningful difference in how this transition is experienced.

4. Coordinating Family Communication

Clear communication between family members helps reduce stress and misunderstandings. Having a structured, neutral process in place can support healthier conversations.

5. Planning the Sale Thoughtfully

A well-planned sale considers preparation, timing, and market conditions — while remaining flexible to the family’s needs and care timeline.

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Are you ready to list your home or someone else’s? The posts below can help you obtain successful results:

• 5 Tips For Selling A Waterfront Home
• Should You Stage Your Home Before Selling?
• Checklist for Selling a House

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How The Weeks Team Supports Families in Simcoe County

Our team takes a family-first, care-focused approach when helping clients navigate aging-related housing transitions. This includes:

• Taking time to listen before offering guidance
• Explaining the real estate process clearly and calmly
• Supporting families at their own pace
• Coordinating with other professionals when appropriate

Our goal is not to rush decisions, but to help families feel informed, supported, and confident as they move forward. It’s important to remember that the home your loved one now has to sell holds years and years of memories. It is not an easy step for them to take and requires continued patience and empathy.

You Don’t Have to Have All the Answers Right Away

If time spent with your loved ones throughout the holidays has brought new concerns to light, it’s okay to pause and learn about your options before making decisions.

Understanding the process early — even if you’re not ready to sell — can reduce stress and provide clarity during a challenging time.

If you have questions or aren’t quite sure what step to take next, reach out to us. We would love to have a conversation with you.

Whatever your next steps may be, our Barrie real estate agents are happy to help. Reach out to us today at 705.305.4174 or email hello@weeksgroup.ca to begin a conversation.