About Us
Lakewood Appraisal Services
We know Northwestern Ontario
For the last 60 years, Lakewood Appraisal Services has been bringing trusted expertise to real estate valuations, backed by deep local knowledge of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario’s unique market conditions, communities, and property trends.
60 Years of Lakewood Appraisal Services
With over 60 years of experience in Thunder Bay, Lakewood Appraisal Services has built a trusted reputation for accurate, professional property valuations. Our legacy is documented through decades of newspaper clippings, highlighting our long-standing role in the region’s real estate landscape.
From its early beginnings in the 1960s to present-day leadership, Lakewood’s deep local roots and consistent presence reflect a commitment to service and expertise that generations of clients have come to rely on.
Moments in History
1965: Lakewood Realty is founded by Wilf Groulx
1996
Bridget Postuma-Bonden,
P.App., CRA, B.Admin
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Bridget holds a Business Administration degree from Lakehead University and six years’ experience advising entrepreneurs. She pursued real estate appraisal studies through the Appraisal Institute of Canada and worked under Tim Groulx’s mentorship while acquiring her designation. In September 2024, Bridget purchased Lakewood Appraisal Services, eager to honor its legacy while introducing fresh innovations and updates.
Read more about Bridget Postuma-Bonden
Before transitioning into real estate appraisal, Bridget supported entrepreneurs across Northwestern Ontario as a Business Advisor for six years. She combines her business background with formal appraisal training from the University of British Columbia’s program. Bridget’s local roots and fresh perspective position her to modernize Lakewood Appraisal Services while maintaining its strong community focus and trusted reputation.
Timothy R. Groulx,
CD, P.App., CRA (retired)
Tim Groulx took over Lakewood Realty Limited from his father in 1978, focusing the firm on residential and recreational appraisals. Tim has taught appraisal courses, served as an expert witness, and contributed extensively to the Thunder Bay community. In 2024, he passed ownership of Lakewood Appraisal Services to Bridget Postuma. Tim retired from the appraisal world in August 2025 but is still working as an active consultant for Lakewood Appraisal Services.
Read more about Tim Groulx
Tim has a distinguished record of public service, including 15 years as an Army Reserve officer and over 25 years as a Rotary member. He’s also active with St. John Ambulance, the Order of St. Lazarus, and other local organizations. His dedication earned him several honors such as the Canadian Forces Decoration, the Anniversary of Confederation Medal, and both the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals. Tim has served on Thunder Bay’s Heritage Committee and the Property Standards Committee, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to the community.
Get expert guidance
Frequently asked Questions
Find quick answers in our FAQ section. If you don’t see your question listed, feel free to reach out — we’re happy to help and point you in the right direction.
Is there anything you can't appraise?
Properties not within Lakewood’s scope are: any residential building larger than a four-plex; any property having any commercial use or even potential commercial use, and; any rural property with an agricultural use beyond a personal hobby farm.
Can you do retroactive appraisals?
Yes, we can. Under certain conditions, a client may ask Lakewood to estimate a property’s value at a specific point in the past—such as for capital gains tax, marital separation, or just before a loss from fire or other disaster for insurance purposes.
Can you appraise based on a hypothetical value?
Yes, we can. In some cases, a client needs to know what a property would be worth if already built or repaired—common for builder financing or renovation loans. These “as if” appraisals reflect a hypothetical value, not current market value, since the property isn’t yet in that assumed condition.
Do you offer appraisal consulting services?
Lakewood Appraisal Services also offers consulting on property value issues, billed hourly or per diem. Not sure if we can help? Call us—we’ll assist or point you to someone who can.
Is there anything you can't appraise?
Properties not within Lakewood’s scope are: any residential building larger than a four-plex; any property having any commercial use or even potential commercial use, and; any rural property with an agricultural use beyond a personal hobby farm.
Can you do retroactive appraisals?
Yes, we can. Under certain conditions, a client may ask Lakewood to estimate a property’s value at a specific point in the past—such as for capital gains tax, marital separation, or just before a loss from fire or other disaster for insurance purposes.
Can you appraise based on a hypothetical value?
Yes, we can. In some cases, a client needs to know what a property would be worth if already built or repaired—common for builder financing or renovation loans. These “as if” appraisals reflect a hypothetical value, not current market value, since the property isn’t yet in that assumed condition.
Do you offer appraisal consulting services?
Lakewood Appraisal Services also offers consulting on property value issues, billed hourly or per diem. Not sure if we can help? Call us—we’ll assist or point you to someone who can.
Years of Experience
For more than 60 years, Lakewood Appraisal Services has been a trusted name in Thunder Bay, delivering accurate and professional property valuations.
