Local realtors hold seminar on downsizing

By Ron Giofu

A trio of local realtors presented a seminar last week aiming to help seniors if they are looking to downsize.

John D’Alimonte, Kim Wheeler and Jayci Wigle from the Amherstburg Remax Realty office held a “Downsizing Lunch & Learn” in the community room of Amherstburg Community Services offices at the Amherstburg Community Hub last Tuesday afternoon. Representatives from Seasons Amherstburg, Hogarth and Hermiston Severs LLP, Bornais Insurance and Financial Services, the Jones Group and the Rosati Group addressed a group of about 30 seniors to discuss various issues regarding downsizing and where people can go if they choose to do so.

D’Alimonte said they work a lot with first time home buyers but they had heard from seniors about what can be done for that demographic.

“We are hearing from them ‘where do we go?’” he said. “One of the things we hear is ‘what about the seniors?’”

Guest speakers were brought in to discuss the various options that retirees have, where they could possibly go and how to go about making that transition in their lives.

Part of the roughly 90-minute lunchtime seminar was about future projects that are coming to Amherstburg. D’Alimonte, Wheeler and Wigle touched on the construction of the apartment buildings at the corner of Sandwich St. North and Brunner Ave., the new St. John Apartments at Brock St. and Richmond St., the recent geared to income apartment building on Pickering Dr., a proposed subdivision to run off of Fort St. among others.

A seminar like the one last Tuesday was needed, D’Alimonte added, noting they were pleased with the turnout. He believed there was a need to create an event for seniors so they can learn from them.

“I think we’ll do this again in the future,” said D’Alimonte.

Many seniors don’t want to be in a home anymore, he added, and they need advice on where to go, how to proceed and what steps to take.