Talk to an agent who takes the time to listen to your plan and concerns and then let your new adventure begin!
This certification is under the umbrella of the National Association of Realtors, and the SRES designation is attained by those realtors who want to better meet the needs of those buyers and sellers close to or in retirement.
Just as you may seek the advice of a certified financial planner for your finances, you may want to consider tapping into the advice and experience of an SRES realtor to discuss one of your largest assets: your real estate.
Senior buyers and sellers are in a different stage of their financial lives and typically don’t need to consider job changes or school district locations, as their younger counterparts do. They may have more cash for a higher down payment, or even pay for their real estate purchases in cash. Senior sellers may be downsizing from that large, multi-storied home into a single-level home or even a townhome or independent senior housing in order to simplify their lives. Some senior buyers may also consider investment real estate to augment their retirement income from pensions, 401Ks, dividends, annuities and Social Security. Location is important for most retiring buyers as well. Proximity to good medical facilities and public transportation lines becomes more important than properties “off the grid” that may have intrigued us 20 years ago.
SRES agents understand that sellers have, in most cases, lived in their homes for many years, complete with a lifetime of memories, and have mixed emotions about making a move. It’s an incredibly intense and personal decision. The task at hand can seem overwhelming, to say the least!
Luckily, SRES agents can help by providing options that may not have been initially discovered, in order to reach the seller’s/buyer’s needs. Knowledge is power and, in this case, ever so appropriate.
Questions you might ask an experienced SRES realtor include: how can you best modify your current home if you want to “age in place;” when does it make sense to consider a reverse mortgage; what type of independent living and skilled nursing facilities are available in Flagstaff; and what are the options for paying for them? Also, what other social services may be available for your specific needs; and what can you do with your lifetime collection of books and furniture?
SRES agents have great networking skills, experience and resources to direct you to the best source of information to hopefully reduce some of the stress of a senior’s new adventures, whether it’s staying put or moving on. Regardless of what you decide to do, it’s a big step. Talk to an agent who takes the time to listen to your plan and concerns and then let your new adventure begin! FBN
By Paula Mack, SRES
Paula Mack, SRES, is a REALTOR with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. She can be reached at 928-699-6837 or paula.mack@russlyon.com.
