So what is a SENIORS REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST® (SRES)?
A Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) is a REALTOR® who is uniquely qualified to assist seniors in housing sales and purchases. The SRES® designation is awarded only to REALTORS®who have successfully completed a series of educational courses on how to help seniors and their families with later-in-life real estate transactions. They also draw upon the expertise of a network of senior specialists, such as estate planners, CPAs, and eldercare lawyers, and are familiar with local community resources and services. Their mission is to help seniors and their families navigate the maze of financial, legal and emotional issues that accompany the sale of the home. What qualities make an SRES® different?
Has knowledge, experience and compassion in dealing with senior issues.
Works first and foremost with the best interests of the client in mind.
Can suggest housing alternatives, including ones that may allow an aging parent to remain in the home instead of selling it.
Takes a no-pressure approach to the transaction and has a strong service orientation.
Will take the time needed to make a client feel comfortable with the complex selling process.
Understands the emotional demands a sale can make on a senior, and tries to minimize them.
Tailors the marketing of a home to the needs of an older client.
Can interact easily with all generations, including seniors, adult children and caretakers.
Is knowledgeable about local senior housing options and elder support services.
Has a wide network of other senior-focused professionals who can assist in tax counseling, financial and estate planning, and other aspects of the sale and move.
So Why use a SENIORS REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST®?
Over the age of 50 and considering selling the family home? Then you need a REALTOR® with senior experience, knowledge and marketing savvy.
Those qualities, along with a special knowledge of managing the sale of a home for those over the age of 50, are what SRES® designees can bring to your next real estate transaction.
SRES® designees are certified senior specialists and astute to the financial and emotional challenges senior clients face when they sell a long-held family home.
SRES® designees not only can create a customized approach to marketing and selling your property, but they also can work with you to explore your housing options to ensure that your next home best serves your current and future needs.
Such certified specialists have special knowledge about everything from reverse mortgages and the importance of universal design to the uses of pensions, 401k accounts, and IRAs in real estate transactions.
They'll also help you steer clear of loan schemes and scams that victimize aged 50+ borrowers.
And when you need help from other professionals, SRES® designees can tap their network and put you in touch with qualified home inspectors, movers, attorneys, CPAs and other experts.
SRES® designees have all the resources and knowledge to simplify the transaction and eliminate the anxiety of selling your home.
Nearly everyone wishes to age in place as they grow older. But often, the spacious family house becomes too burdensome, financially and physically, to maintain for individuals over 50.
Trying to determine your next step? It can entail a complex set of decisions relating to finances, ideal over 50 housing locations and property types, as well as anticipating future needs as you or your loved ones age.
SRES® designees can consult with you to review your current housing situation and outline the topics to weigh as you consider your next move. They will provide pertinent information on 50+ housing trends, financing and market conditions.
They can also develop a team of experts and advisors to help you with every step while you're exploring your options and determining the very best place to call home.
Buying? Having Mixed Emotions - Buying a residence when 50+ can be both exciting and daunting. The excitement stems from anticipating new beginnings in a fresh environment. It can be daunting because there are so many types of senior residences, finite resources and sometimes emotional hurdles to overcome.
Assessing Your Real Estate Options SRES® designees can sit down with you and your loved ones to discuss needs, outline options and help you determine the very best 50+ residence option for you. Then, working within the parameters you provide, they can locate a property that fits your needs acurately.
SRES® designees leverage their 50+ education, experience and network to find properties, determine appropriate offers, and negotiate purchases on your behalf.
Tapping ExpertiseWhen necessary, they can tap a network of experts, such as home inspectors, movers, attorneys, and CPAs, to ensure that the purchase of your new residence, and the move, proceed smoothly.
For help finding the senior citizen residence that's right for you or your loved one, contact an SRES®designee.
Selling? There's almost always an emotional element associated with selling a long-time home. SRES®designees are real estate agents that specialize in senior needs and can ease the transition first by talking about your reasons for selling and then exploring all the options either modifying and staying in your current home or finding a different property to be sure you find the very best housing solution.
SRES® designees use their expertise and industry knowledge to provide an honest assessment of your property and make suggestions for improving it for saleability. They may recommend hiring staging professionals who can make modifications that will best showcase your house and make it appeal to the broadest audience possible.
A Seniors Real Estate Specialist® Will Help With Pricing and Marketing Strategies SRES® designees can also provide insight on current market conditions, determine how your property stacks up against the competition and develop a pricing and marketing strategy to sell your home quickly and for the highest possible price.
Moving Is Easier With a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® SRES® designees can help assemble an appropriate team to ease the transition to a new property. Movers, landscapers and stagers can handle the heavy lifting. Attorneys, 1031 exchange specialists and mortgage brokers can manage the heavy paperwork.
A Seniors Real Estate Specialist® Will Help You Transition to a New City SRES® designees can also help you find your new home locally or refer you to designees elsewhere to find property in a new city or near children.
Seniors Real Estate Specialists® or SRES® designees are REALTORS® qualified to address the needs of home buyers and sellers age 50+.
What to Expect from Your SRES®
A REALTOR® who chooses to become an SRES® does so because he or she enjoys interacting with seniors. Their decision to become an SRES® is rooted in a desire to help others. It means that your REALTOR® has respect for older individuals; has the ability to listen deeply and ask the right questions; knows how to communicate the old-fashioned way, with a handshake and a visit. Be prepared to sit and chat awhile. They'll want to take time to get to know you and your family's situation, as you'll want to learn more about them.
An SRES®understands that this can be a stressful time for a family. It's hard to deal with leaving a home after spending many years in it. Perhaps the parent would actually prefer to go on living there. Your agent wants to understand the challenges you all face in this major decision. By doing so, they can present all available options, so that the outcome is one that will suit the family's needs.
At times, the amount of information coming your way may seem overwhelming. An SRES® is there to help by tailoring meetings to a senior's needs. Don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you'd like until you feel comfortable with the steps to the sales process and other potentially-complicated details. An SRES® may suggest taking breaks so you can absorb the information, and may want to break up the prelisting-process over several visits to your home.
