HOME, HEART, HISTORY: SUPPORTING NIAGARA FAMILIES THROUGH ESTATE SALES

An estate sale can be one of the most emotional and complex kinds of real estate transactions we navigate as a team. In the Niagara Region, where many families have lived for generations, we often find ourselves working with clients who are selling a loved one’s home after they’ve passed or after a transition to assisted living. These homes are filled not just with belongings, but with decades of memories, and we believe those stories deserve to be honoured with care and compassion.

Estate sales are typically triggered by the need to settle a family member’s estate, and they can involve a range of responsibilities, from dealing with legal paperwork to sorting through personal belongings and preparing the home for sale. These are not ordinary listings. We understand that the people we’re helping are often juggling grief, logistics, and family dynamics, all while trying to make decisions under pressure. That’s why our approach is built around lightening the load, offering practical support while being sensitive to the emotional weight that often comes with these moments.

When working with clients through an estate sale, our first priority is to listen. “Everyone has a different relationship with the home they’re selling,” one of our agents, Natalie, shared recently. “Sometimes it was their childhood home, or their parents’ place that hasn’t changed much since they were kids. It’s not just bricks and mortar for them. It’s memory and identity.” We take time to hear those stories, to understand what the home meant to their family, and to make sure that’s reflected in how we market the property.

Once we’ve established a plan, we bring in our trusted network of professionals to handle many of the tasks that can feel overwhelming. We coordinate professional cleaners and landscapers to help the home feel its best without our clients needing to organize it all themselves. 

When it comes to staging, we offer an in-home service where our team of agents takes care of the setup using our curated selection of staging furniture and decor. We can fully furnish a space with couches, dining tables, and accent pieces, or enhance what's already there using textiles, artwork, and thoughtful styling. If clearing out the entire home before listing isn’t realistic, especially when timelines are tight, we never push for that. Instead, we make recommendations on what to remove, then work with what’s possible to ensure the home still shows beautifully and the furniture complements the style and character of the space. 

We also bring in our photographer for beautiful interior, exterior, and drone stills, and we create 3D virtual tours so potential buyers can experience the home online before setting foot through the door.

In some cases, there are things like aging HVAC systems or minor repairs that need attention before listing. Our team includes reliable tradespeople—electricians, plumbers, handymen—who can come in to assess and tackle those jobs. We don’t expect clients to become project managers during such a difficult time. “People are often surprised at how much we can take off their plate,” said Natalie. “They’re already dealing with lawyers, paperwork, and family decisions, so we’re here to try to manage the rest.”

Here are some personal accounts from families we have worked with:

"Natalie is incredible! She recently sold my grandparents house which was an emotional sell for our family. Natalie made the process so smooth for my parents. Natalie not only staged the house incredibly but had a cleaning crew come in to clean the house and take care of the lawn outside. She treated us like family from the very beginning. I cannot recommended Natalie and the Kesh group enough." - Jenna

"Natalie and her team went above and beyond when my mom had to sell her house. It was a very stressful and emotional time. She was very kind and caring during this difficult time. She was respectful of our situation and often had kind encouraging words for us. We weren’t just a "house to sell" to her. She truly cares. When it was time to get the house ready to sell, she went above and beyond. We were extremely overwhelmed and short on time. In addition to cleaning the entire house, she had her team clean up the yard and open the pool for us. There was no possible way we could have done everything ourselves. The staging of the house and professional photos showed the house beautifully. Her professionalism and amazing service had the house sold in a couple of days. I highly recommend Natalie at the Kesh Group!" - Lisa

"After my mom passed away, selling our family home of over 55 years was an emotional time, however Natalie and her team made the process much easier than I thought it could be. From the initial meeting right through the staging (which was awesome), the listing, and finally the sale, she was very professional and straightforward with me about potential buyers, the viewings, and the final sale process. Thank you Kesh Group." - Tammy

Estate sales are rarely simple, but they don’t have to be overwhelming. Whether it’s recommending estate lawyers, checking in with local utility providers, or simply being a compassionate sounding board, we are here for our clients every step of the way. With the right guidance, support, and sensitivity, we help our clients move through this chapter with a little more ease and a lot of heart. 

Because while we sell houses, we know we’re really helping people through life transitions, and that makes all the difference.