What is a 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, elderly care lawyers and notaries, home inspectors, movers and CPAs, whom 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?
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COMPASSIONATE : Experience and compassion in dealing with seniors' issues.
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BEST INTERESTS : Working first and foremost with the understanding of the Senior clients' welfare in mind.
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HOUSING ALTERNATIVES : Including ones that may allow an aging parent to remain in the home
instead of selling it. -
RESPECTFUL : I shall exhibit a strong service orientation, along with a no-pressure approach with your transition.
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COMFORT : To reassure that all Clients feel comfortable with the complexity of the selling process.
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UNDERSTANDING : The emotional demands of a sale can become overwhelming for a senior.... I can provide emotional support to minimize them.
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TAILORS: The marketing of a home to the needs of an Senior client.
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FRIENDSHIP : I can interact easily with all generations, including Seniors, adult children and caregivers.
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KNOWLEDGEABLE : About local senior housing options.
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EXPLORE : A wide network of other senior-focused professionals who can ASSIST in tax counseling, financial and estate planning, with other aspects of the sale and move.
What to Expect from Your SRES®
A REALTOR® who chooses to become an SRES® Specialist does so because he or she enjoys interacting with Seniors and their 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. I'll want to take time to get to know you and your family's situation, as you'll want to learn more about me and the way I work.
An SRES® Realtor 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. I want to understand the challenges you all face in this major decision. By doing so, I can present all available options, so that the outcome is one that will suits your family's needs.
At times, the amount of information coming your way may seem overwhelming. An SRES® Broker 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® Broker 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.