Many Realtors enjoy the fun and excitement of helping a young family make their purchase as a first time home buyer. There is another market that is not quite as exciting, but has the potential to be very lucrative. Buyers who are 50+ are often looking to downsize or relocate to a more convenient area after decades raising a family in the suburbs. For buyers reaching their golden years, an agent with the Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) certification is best equipped to help middle aged and older buyers get into the right home.
How Agents Become a Senior Real Estate Specialist
To become an SRES certified agent, an agent must be a member in good standing with the National Association of Realtors and complete the Senior Real Estate Specialist course with at least an 80% score on all exams.
SRES education gives agents the knowledge and tools to best serve clients over 50 through understanding the unique requirements and needs of our aging population with a focus on which areas and markets are most attractive and which home requirements are most important.
While marketing and psychology are important and included, the best value of an SRES agent comes from the specific training on financial accounts specific to older adults. SRES agents are trained in using pension, 401(k), and IRA accounts as a cash flow source for mortgage payments and how to factor in Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security in helping understand what the client can afford.
SRES training also includes information on how to find and adapt a home to meet the needs of an aging resident to meet the exact accessibility needs of the client.
The Benefits of Hiring an SRES Designated Agent
As a buyer 50+, you have likely already bought and sold a home or two, or more, in your lifetime. You know the requirements you are looking for and want to work with someone who has the experience and professionalism to work with you on your purchase.
The Senior Real Estate Specialist designation is evidence that an agent went above and beyond standard licensing requirements and made an effort to serve 50+ clients with the best service and knowledge available.
With an SRES agent, you will get:
- Knowledge of the most popular locations in the market for 50+ adults
- Financial expertise specific to adults nearing retirement or living on a fixed income
- An agent with a working knowledge of the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA).
As a seller, an SRES agent can offer all of the qualities above while marketing your home to potential buyers, and as a member of the National Association of Realtors, you know your agent has access to the best up-to-date technologies and tools to sell your home quickly and for the best price available in your market.
How to Find a Senior Real Estate Specialist in Your Area
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If you are buying or selling a house and are looking to hire a successful real estate agent to help you through the process, take a look at AgentHarvest's list of top-ranking local Realtors in your area. We found these agents by examining their sales track records, awards, rankings, client testimonials and by conducting personal interviews.