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Last week, I completed a course to become a designated Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). The course was incredibly informative about the needs of aging Americans.
On a personal level, I’ve been working closely with my own parents in finding them a new home. They are in their 80s, so their needs were very different from those of a young couple looking for their first home. We wanted something all on one level, affordable because of limited retirement income, safe neighborhood, minimal outside steps and a level yard with no hidden dangers, open floor plan to allow for walkers or future wheelchairs, wide doorways (same reason), and a garage so they can safely leave their car without the hassle of bad weather.
The course I took addressed all these issues, along with the emotional traumas that seniors go through when looking for a new home. According to the National Association of Realtors:
“Older consumers have special financial and lifestyle considerations when it comes to buying and selling real estate, and it helps to have a Realtor® who understands those needs,” Combs said. “As we bring the SRES designation into the NAR family, our goal is to continue to support Realtors® with training and educational opportunities that evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of real estate consumers.”
Overall, I am so grateful that I took this course because I believe in the long run that I’ll be able to help guide the 55 plus crowd (my own peers, in fact) through what can be a confusing, stressful time in their lives.
Another designation that I have found to be valuable for both my clients and me is the GRI training. After extensive coursework, I am proud to use the following to describe my work as stated by NAR:
The Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) symbol is the mark of a real estate professional who has made a commitment to providing a superior level of professional services by earning the GRI designation. REALTORS® with the GRI designation are highly trained in many areas of real estate to better serve and protect their clients. Learn about other benefits of earning the GRI designation.
