Despite their unwillingness to grow old, the famous baby boomer generation is turning 60 this year. And if you're like a lot of these boomers, your children have just left home, and you're faced with the decision about selling the well-lived-in house where you raised your family.
Maybe you're excited about moving to Florida, or Arizona, to begin your long-awaited retirement. For years, you've been anticipating all the "fun in the sun" activities such a move would provide.
Or maybe, you feel more comfortable simply downsizing, and staying near your children and their young families. If so, you're not alone. A recent survey shows that 82 percent of seniors move less than 100 miles from their previous home.
Regardless of your particular situation, many Americans are in the same boat, trying to make the same decisions. As America ages, so do the home buyers and sellers entering the marketplace. Today, more than half of U.S. homeowners are over the age of 50. Real estate agents are discovering that the older their client, the more specialized their services must be.
Many real estate agents have discovered that older clients have very specific needs and interests. In fact, many in this age group looking to buy or sell are usually motivated by an emotional event. Their kids have left home, their spouse has passed away or maybe they can't care for themselves anymore. It is a time in their lives when they can't afford to make a mistake with their largest financial asset.
Responding to the unique needs of this growing segment of the market, the real estate industry has established a professional designation known as the Seniors Real Estate SpecialistŪ, or SRESŪ.
Based upon a similar program in California, the SRES designation went national in 1998. Now, there are more than 15,000 real estate agents across the country who have completed a two-day course and passed an exam to earn the special SRES designation.
The largest group of SRES-certified sales associates are affiliated with the RE/MAX franchise organization. Margaret Kelly, CEO of RE/MAX International, Inc., says, "The population is aging and we believe it's critical that this unique group of clients receive special attention. We're very proud of our associates who have taken the time to learn how to provide special assistance to these consumers."
At a time when people are most concerned about maintaining control of their personal lives and having enough financial resources, a trained and caring SRES agent can provide much-needed assistance in the complicated home buying and selling process.
In addition to making arrangements for the sale of their home, an SRES real estate agent will also be familiar with a variety of helpful local services, to assist seniors in preparing for the sale of their home and to make their move less hectic.
Although SRES agents are experienced in providing information on financing, investment properties and other local opportunities for seniors, they cannot provide legal or financial advice. Instead, SRES agents are trained to partner with established professionals who are also interested in assisting an older clientele.
The situation for many seniors is often so unique that they truly benefit from the knowledge and training of an SRES agent, who is probably already familiar with the problems they're facing.
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If you or someone you know could use the services of a certified SRES agent, visit www.remax.com to search for a certified agent in your area.
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