Meet Ashley Metcalf: My Realtor, My Wholehearted Recommendation
If there's one thing I've learned running Leo's Friends, it's that the "big move" is never just about the move. It's about the house full of memories, the paperwork nobody warned you about, and the question of who you actually trust to walk you through it.
That's exactly why Ashley Metcalf made the cut for our Friends of Leo's Friends list.
Full disclosure: I've used Ashley as my own realtor. This isn't a friendship plug — it's a professional one, and honestly a stronger endorsement for it. I trusted her with one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions of my life, and she handled it with the same care and honesty she talks about below. That's the kind of trust I don't hand out lightly, and it's exactly why she's on this list.
Here's Ashley, straight from her own Q&A — unedited, in her own words.
Tell us a little about yourself and your business. What do you do, and who do you do it for?
I've been a Realtor for 10 years and my partner Graeme and I have a Real Estate Team. I love helping people make informed decisions when transitioning to their next home.
How long have you been doing this work?
I myself have been a Realtor for ten years, but our team has been operating in Nanaimo since Charlie started it in 1994.
What made you want to start this business? Was there a specific moment or experience that led you here?
When I met Graeme & Charlie I felt that our values were aligned, we all care deeply about providing good service and being honest, hardworking people. I knew I wanted to work with them because of this. I had always worked in the service industry, I love meeting new people and helping them, and providing Real Estate services allows me to help people with one of the biggest transitions in their life. To help relieve some of the stress and act as a guide through that process is very rewarding.
Where are you located, and what areas do you serve?
Our office is located in Nanaimo, but I service the Central Vancouver Island area from Chemainus to Qualicum Beach.
How much of your work involves seniors specifically, and what does that typically look like?
Working with seniors is a very big portion of our business, I often help seniors downsize or transition from their home into Long Term Care. It starts with a consultation appointment where we get together to talk about their needs so that we can formulate a plan to help get them where they'd like to be within their desired timeframe. Some people are able to move into their next home before selling their current home and others need to line it all up. I work with my clients to help the to determine what is best option for them.
Can you share a situation (without names, of course) where you realized seniors need more support in this area than most people think?
I often meet seniors who are making their final move and going into long term care. They don't always have a trusted friend or family member close by who can assist them with this transition. It can be very overwhelming to prepare for a move, determine which location is the best fit, and coordinate the finances. This why I think having the support that Lia is offering is so valuable. Often times, we're their trusted guide to connect them people who can support them through such a big life change.
What do families often get wrong or underestimate when they're trying to help a senior parent or loved one with [your area of service]?
It can be overwhelming to support your loved one through a big move. A home carries so many memories and stores so many family treasures that are often precious to their senior parent or loved one. Emptying the home and deciding what to keep, donate, or pass along can be a lot more work than families originally anticipated. Moving is emotional and the need for the support and recognition of how challenging it is is also a big piece.
When is the right time to reach out to someone like you? What are the signs a family should be looking for?
I often meet with people earlier on in the process when they are first considering a move. The equity that seniors have in their homes is often what funds their next move. Having a realistic understanding of what they will walk away with financially is often the first step in making an informed decision. I will sometimes meet with people 1-2 years before they are ready to move, but its often one of the first steps in their decision making process when trying to determine if a move is right for them.
What makes your approach different from others in your field?
I’m a really good listener who takes my time when meeting with clients. I never want someone to feel pressured, I’m there to be a guide and a resource. My compassionate nature makes it effortless to put my clients needs ahead of all other things and focus on giving them the time and support that they need to decide what is best for them.
What does a typical first step or consultation look like for someone reaching out to you for the first time?
I come out and meet with them at their home. I listen to them to get a better understanding of what they have in mind, and view their home so that I can give them an accurate market evaluation.
How long do your projects or engagements usually take? What affects the timeline?
Our first appointment is often 1-1.5 hour, and any follow up appoints are typically about 1 hour.
Why do you love what you do? What keeps you going on the hard days?
It feels good to help people. When I'm able to help someone transition into their next home and I know that I took the stress away from them and was able to build a relationship and support them through it, it just feels good to see them happily end up where they wanted to.
Get in Touch:
Charlie Parker Team
Instagram: [@itsashmetcalf](https://instagram.com/itsashmetcalf) | [@charlieparkerteam](https://instagram.com/charlieparkerteam)
Facebook: Charlie Parker Marketing Systems / Ashley Metcalf
Best way to reach her is by phone or email.
**A Note From Me
A big move is never just about the house — it's about the memories packed inside it, the finances that fund whatever comes next, and the fear of getting it wrong at a time when there's not a lot of room for do-overs. That's why the person guiding you through it matters so much. You need someone who's genuinely trustworthy, who cares about the outcome and not just the commission, and who has the patience to slow down when you need to slow down.
Ashley is exactly that person. I've sat across from her as her client, not just her professional admirer, and I watched her be honest, compassionate, and unhurried with something that mattered enormously to me. If you or someone you love is facing this kind of transition, you deserve that same care — and Ashley and the Charlie Parker Team are who I trust to give it.
Leo's Friends only features one trusted business per sector — chosen because we believe in them, not because they paid for the spot. Ashley and the Charlie Parker Team have earned theirs.
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