As an SRES agent, my mission is to facilitate meaningful lifestyle transitions for individuals and their families by providing comprehensive, holistic real estate planning services that support their vision, goals and objectives.
We hope you will find this section, along with the tab “Lifestyle Transitions” under Resources, helpful in your search to make the best possible choices about this next chapter of your life.
WHAT IS AN 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 qualifies differentiate an SRES agent from a traditional agent?
- Is knowledgeable, experienced and compassionate 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 effectively 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.
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH AN SRES®
As we age, we demand specialists in our health needs, so why not in our housing and equity needs as well?
An SRES® brings:
- A customized approach to your situation, working to fit your living situation in with your overall life plan
- Expertise and patience throughout the transaction
- An awareness of options and a network of solid, reliable referrals to help you in the process
- A variety of choices to reduce out of pocket expenses, gain cash, or create or defer income streams to either stay independent or obtain financial assistance
THE SRES PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
Selling a senior’s most valued and valuable asset, their home, and the subsequent move, often requires unique expertise on a number of different fronts. One compelling reason to choose an SRES® is that you’ll gain access to their network of related service professionals. For seniors, that includes specialists across a wide array of financial, legal, property and personal services, from estate planning to downsizing.
Sometimes an older parent has a trusted attorney and accountant. If they don’t, an SRES® can usually refer them and their adult children estate planners, financial planners and tax advisors with experience in elder issues.
An SRES® maintains a professional network that includes individuals who can help with various steps of the sale and move, offering assistance on these and other matters:
- The decision to sell or not to sell: as a certified life coach, I use a proprietary visioning process to help owners make the right decision about staying in their home, downsizing or moving to a retirement community.
- Prior to listing: tax specialists and financial planners to examine ways to protect assets
- Preparing the home for showing: handymen, landscapers and clutter reduction specialists
- Legal considerations: real estate attorneys to help with estate planning
- Tax matters: CPA’s to evaluate the tax consequences of selling and/or buying
- Moving: downsizing experts, senior care specialists, estate sale planners, storage facilities
- Daily activities: fiduciaries serve as legal agents in making financial, health care and quality of life decisions and managing the day-to-day operations like bookkeeping, paying bills, opening mail, etc.
- Personal and interpersonal challenges: relationship coaches and grief counselors to support healing and resolution of difficult personal and family matters