When the time comes for a senior(s) to move, Nancy Austin, Senior Real Estate Specialist, writes that not many people are aware that a specialist like her is there to help them. In this article Mrs. Austin explains what it means to be a Senior Real Estate Specialist and how they can help make the move better.
Nancy Austin, Senior Real Estate Specialist
Senior Real Estate Specialist
My name is Nancy Austin, I specialize in helping seniors move. Usually that statement will evoke a surprised, questioning look. Most people don’t realize there are Realtors who are dedicated to helping seniors move, however, the designation Senior Real Est
ate Specialist is awarded by the National Association of Realtors.
Seniors Real Estate Specialists (SRES) are Realtors qualified to address the needs of home buyers and sellers age 50+. The SRES Council awards the designation to those members who have successfully completed its education program.
The Realtor has demonstrated the necessary knowledge and expertise to counsel clients age 50+ through major lifestyle transitions involved in relocating, or selling the family home or both. The SRES also receives regular updates and is prepared to offer the options and information needed in making life-changing decisions.
Nancy Austin
I have been an SRES, for approximately 15 years. I love it. It is my passion. I love helping the seniors and working with their families.
My interest in obtaining my designation began with my parents. During their later years their concerns about their home centered around which updates were most important so the house would sell easily. Utilizing the expertise I have acquired over the years, I was able to advise them of the importance of the updated kitchen and bath, removing wallpaper, neutral paints, de-cluttering and maintaining pleasant landscaping. These are the kinds of things that affect the overall appeal to a potential buyer.
I also realized at the same time that other seniors were exposed to losing equity in their homes due to a lack of updating; or perhaps, not knowing which were the more valuable updates. I knew I could help minimize their loss as well as smoothing the moving transition.
How does it all work?
Say, for example, I visit your home and ascertain through our visit and conversation, that your home needs some paint, new carpet or refinished hardwood floors. Additionally, since you have been in your home for the last 20-40 years or more, you have accumulated antiques, china, figurines, tools, vintage clothing, and years and years worth of National Geographic magazines. Maybe furniture needs to be repositioned to show off the space you are selling. I can advise you as to what is best for the appearance of your home. My consultations are complimentary. I can then refer you to my list of trusted contractors. If you engage any of these services, you would then pay whatever fee they charge. Or, of course, you are free to use your own plumber, electrician, painter or organizer.
We also recognize that many times the adult children, who could otherwise be helping, may live in other parts of the state or even in other states. I have worked with families who have adult children both locally and long distance keeping abreast of the work being done. I work with companies that, if you have no help (or even if you do), will help from organize and move you. There are dedicated employees within these companies that are so thorough that they make sure that in your new living quarters, your new bedroom is readied, including making your bed to insure a good night’s sleep. They will also make sure your kitchen is usable when you wake up your first morning there. There are companies that will dispose of or move items to children’s houses or will dispose of articles through consignment, estate sales, and donations.
We know and respect the seniors’ various financial and legal positions. Should you need professional help in those areas, we have contacts which include financial planners and elderlaw attorneys.
We have a firm grasp on retirement living options such as retirement communities, assisted living, Alzheimer units, senior condo complexes and other living arrangements such as retrofitting a house to enable a senior to age in place if so desired.
We Love to Help
There are so many facets to helping seniors with the transition. An SRES understands that this can be a stressful time for a family. An SRES works with seniors because he or she enjoys interacting with them. They enjoy helping others. They have respect for older individuals. They have an ability to listen and to ask the right questions. They like to sit and chat with the senior and the family. They enjoy learning about their life and ambitions. They are there to tailor the move to the senior’s needs. They are patient and are prepared to take as long as the families deem necessary for this transition. An SRES is there for the senior. Short and simple. I think the best way to describe the help with the move is: if you need it, we can see to it that it will be accomplished. – Nancy Austin
Nancy Austin is a Senior Real Estate Specialist in Canton and Metro Detroit. She works with PiperPartners out of Keller Williams.
Nancy offers the wisdom of an experienced professional agent and works to the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Nancy is active in area civic organizations and holds the professional designations of Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) Accredited Staging Professional and Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR). Nancy takes pride in offering her clients the highest level of service, commitment and attention to detail.
