Selling an Estate Home in Vaughan

Lisa Sinopoli

Broker, ABR, SRS, CPCA

Selling a loved one’s home is one of the hardest parts of settling an estate, and you don’t have to do it alone. I’m Lisa Sinopoli, a Vaughan real estate broker with RE/MAX Hallmark Realty and a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA®). For 35 years, since I was first licensed in 1991, I’ve helped families across Vaughan sell a parent’s home as part of settling an estate, working alongside executors, estate lawyers and family members with care and discretion.

My role is to take the property side off your plate: valuing the home, preparing it for sale, coordinating with your lawyer and keeping the whole family informed, so you can focus on what matters most. I’m happy to work with you and your family in English or Italian.

Contact me for a no-pressure conversation about the home, where things stand with the estate and what your options are.

An estate sale isn’t an ordinary listing. There are legal steps to follow, belongings to sort, siblings or beneficiaries to keep informed and, often, a home that hasn’t been updated in decades. Many of the estate homes I sell in Vaughan have been in the same family for 30, 40 or 50 years. They often have good bones, mature lots and original features that buyers value, along with dated kitchens and bathrooms.

Pricing for the home’s actual condition is what brings strong offers. In September 2026, 213 homes sold in Vaughan, taking an average of 42 days to sell at 97% of their asking price, according to TRREB. Buyers have time to compare, so a home that’s well prepared and priced right from the start stands out.

Source: TRREB Market Watch, September 2026.

How I Help Executors and Families

A first conversation, with no pressure. We talk about the home, the family’s wishes and where things stand with the estate. There’s no obligation and no rush.
Understanding what the home is worth. I prepare a market evaluation based on recent sales on comparable Vaughan streets, not online estimates. Your lawyer or accountant may also ask for a formal appraisal of the home’s value at the date of death, and I can recommend appraisers.
Working with your estate lawyer. With your permission, I stay in touch with your lawyer so the listing and closing dates line up with the estate’s legal timeline.
Clearing and preparing the home. I’ll connect you with trusted professionals from my network for sorting, donations, auctions, clean-out, cleaning and repairs, and I’ll tell you honestly which improvements are worth doing and which aren’t.
Selling the home. Professional photography, marketing and pricing based on your part of Vaughan, with strong negotiation as a Seller Representative Specialist (SRS).
Keeping everyone informed. When several siblings or beneficiaries are involved, I make sure everyone gets the same clear updates, including family living outside Vaughan or outside Canada. You work with me directly from start to finish.

Probate in Ontario: What Executors Should Know

I’m not a lawyer, and your estate lawyer should always guide the legal side. But knowing the basics helps you plan the sale.

“Probate” in Ontario means applying to the Superior Court of Justice for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee, which confirms the executor’s authority to deal with the estate’s assets.
Estate Administration Tax is paid as a deposit when the executor applies for the certificate. There is no tax on estates valued at $50,000 or less; above that, it’s $15 for every $1,000 of the estate’s value. After the certificate is issued, an Estate Information Return is due within 180 days.
How the home is owned matters. A home owned jointly with a right of survivorship usually passes directly to the surviving owner. A home held in your parent’s name alone usually forms part of the estate, and the buyer’s lawyer will often require the certificate before the sale can close.

Source: Government of Ontario, Estate Administration Tax.

Estate Homes Across Vaughan’s Neighbourhoods

Every Vaughan community is its own market, and the right price for an estate home depends on the street it’s on. Here’s how each area performed in the second quarter of 2026:

Woodbridge. Many of Vaughan’s long-held family homes are in Woodbridge. East Woodbridge homes sold in an average of 27 days at 97% of asking (average price $1,140,450), West Woodbridge in 29 days at 96% ($1,008,571), and Islington Woods in 23 days at 97% ($1,735,500). See the Woodbridge market.

Maple. Maple homes sold in an average of 30 days at 97% of asking (average $1,117,395), and nearby Patterson in 23 days at 100% ($1,486,634). See the Maple market.

Kleinburg. Kleinburg’s larger homes and lots averaged $1,789,163, selling in 26 days at 95% of asking, so careful pricing matters even more. See the Kleinburg market.

Thornhill (Vaughan side). Results ranged from 17 days in Lakeview Estates to 52 days in Uplands, with homes selling at 96% to 99% of asking. See the Thornhill market.

Concord and the rest of Vaughan. I also help families sell estate homes in Concord, Vellore Village, Sonoma Heights and every other part of the city. Across all of Vaughan, homes sold in an average of 28 days at 97% of asking in the quarter.

Source: TRREB Market Watch, Q2 2026 community report for Vaughan.

“When Mom made the decision to sell our family home after Dad’s passing, it was a very emotional and sad situation. We needed someone who would be able to be compassionate, understanding and understand the value our home was to us… Lisa was a perfect choice, her compassion, support, love, her honesty and communication with us made the choice easier.”

— Connie Bonofiglio

Common Questions From Executors

Can we start before probate is finished?

Often, yes. If there’s a will, the executor named in it can usually start working with me right away, including sorting the home, getting it ready and planning the listing. Whether the sale can close before the certificate is issued depends on how the home is owned, so we’ll set the closing date with your estate lawyer’s guidance.

Should we sell the house as-is or fix it up first?

It depends on the home and the market. A thorough cleaning, fresh paint and small repairs usually pay for themselves. Major renovations rarely do, and they delay the estate. I’ll walk through the home with you and give you an honest recommendation.

What should we do with our parent’s belongings?

Take your time with family keepsakes first. For everything else, I can connect you with organizers, donation services, auction companies and clean-out crews from my network, so the home is ready to show without you doing all the heavy lifting.

What if the siblings or beneficiaries don’t agree?

It’s more common than people think. The executor makes the final decisions, but I find most disagreements ease when everyone sees the same information: the recent sales, the pricing reasoning and every offer. I’ll share updates with the whole family if the executor would like me to.

What costs should the estate expect before closing?

Typical costs include legal fees, the Estate Administration Tax, utilities, property taxes and insurance while the home is vacant, and any cleaning, clean-out or repairs. Real estate commission and legal fees are usually paid from the sale proceeds on closing. Be sure to tell the home insurer that the house is empty, because many policies change coverage when a home is left vacant.

Do I need to live in Vaughan to be the executor?

No. Many of the executors I work with live elsewhere in Ontario or outside the country. I keep you updated by phone, email and video, and I can coordinate access to the home with the professionals you choose.

Do you work with Italian-speaking families?

Yes. I’m fluent in Italian, and I’m happy to speak with family members in Italian at any stage of the process. Parlo italiano.

Have questions about selling a parent’s home? I’m happy to help. Call me at 416-550-7555, email Lisa@LisaSinopoli.com, or visit me at my Vaughan office at 3420 Major Mackenzie Dr W, Unit 103. You can also learn more about my senior real estate services and how I help Vaughan sellers.