So I’ve been completely consumed with what turned into a months-long saga of finding my aging parents the right condo in Abbotsford, BC. What I thought would be a straightforward process turned into a roller coaster of emotions, false starts, and eventually, a happy ending.
When my parents decided to downsize from their two-story home of 35 years, I volunteered to help them find a single-level condo that would suit their needs as they continue to age. My dad’s mobility isn’t what it used to be, and maintaining their large property had become increasingly difficult. Abbotsford seemed perfect—close enough to family, more affordable than Vancouver proper, and with all the amenities they’d need within reach.
I started where most people do—scrolling through endless online listings and connecting with a local realtor who came highly recommended by a friend. This is where our troubles began. The first realtor seemed more interested in pushing properties at the top of our budget than listening to my parents’ specific needs. After viewing six condos that all missed the mark in some significant way, we parted ways.
The second realtor was better at listening but couldn’t seem to find properties that matched our requirements. A month went by, and we were stuck in a cycle of disappointment. My mom would get excited about a listing, only to discover that the building had no elevator, or the HOA fees were astronomical, or there were rental restrictions that would impact resale value. My dad, initially enthusiastic, grew increasingly frustrated with each viewing.
By month two of our search, we finally found a condo that checked all our boxes—single level, accessible bathroom, reasonable HOA fees, and within walking distance to my parents’ favorite coffee shop. We submitted what we thought was a competitive offer, only to be outbid by $45,000. I could see the defeat in my parents’ eyes. This was supposed to be an exciting new chapter for them, not an endless exercise in disappointment.
Just as we were considering putting the search on hold, a colleague mentioned Jordi at Browne, a mortgage broker in Abbotsford. “They don’t just handle the financing part,” she explained. “They helped my sister find her condo in last year when she was in a similar situation. They have connections with realtors who specialize in senior transitions and understand the market better than most.”
“Financing is just one piece of the puzzle,” Jordi explained. “For your parents, we need to consider not just what they can afford today, but how this purchase fits into their retirement picture. And we need to find them a property that will continue to work for them as they age.”
Jordi connected us with Richard Ensing, a realtor who specializes in helping seniors downsize. Within two weeks, Richard showed us three properties that met all our criteria. But more importantly, he provided insights we hadn’t considered—highlighting a building with particularly good management, pointing out potential issues with another that had pending special assessments, and educating us about which neighborhoods were seeing the best appreciation in Abbotsford’s changing market.
When we found “the one”—a beautiful ground-floor unit in a well-maintained building near Mill Lake Park—Richard helped us craft an offer that was accepted despite not being the highest bid. “Sometimes it’s about more than just the number,” he told us. “I made sure the sellers knew about your parents, that this wasn’t an investment property, and that they wouldn’t have to worry about financing falling through.”
The closing process was smoother than I could have imagined. While friends had warned me about sleepless nights worrying about financing contingencies and closing delays, Jordi kept us informed at every step. My parents knew exactly what to expect, what documents they needed to provide, and when key decisions needed to be made.
Three weeks ago, I handed my parents the keys to their new home. My mom cried—happy tears this time—as she stood in the kitchen that’s now hers, planning where her treasured family photos would hang. My dad immediately tested out the walk-in shower with built-in seating, declaring it “the best shower I’ve ever had.”
Now I just need to help them unpack all those boxes! But that’s a story for another post…