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Although Smyrna was named among the top 10 places to retire in the U.S., I’ve been investigating senior housing options. Recently I moved my elderly parents to this area, but I was unable to find them a true 55+ seniors community simply because there are none in Smyrna. Instead, I found a one-level home in a nice subdivision that suits their needs fine – including brick exterior (no outside maintenance), small yard, and one step up into house (I installed ramps to accommodate my mother’s walker).
A smart developer should consider plans to build a senior community here. I’d love to see one that has a club house for activities like crafts, cards, and other fun. In my Mayberry senior town, I’d also like to see a small retail area in the center of a development that would consist of a unit where different vendors could come in. For example, barbershop and beauty salon three days a week, maybe a small doctor’s office three days a week, and a place for Sunday services. A quaint grocery store with an old fashioned soda shop / cafe would be nice. I’d also love to see a park area with benches and maybe a gazebo.
The outskirts of the community could include an assisted living facility along with a full-fledged nursing home so that residents are still close to home and friends, but have competent care available as they need it.
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.
