| Downsizing and Moving for Seniors |
| Selling the Biggest Thing Last |
Of course, once you've finished setting
aside the items you're keeping, gifting
precious heirlooms; selling off other
possessions; donating other items;
and disposing of what little is left; in
many cases seniors are still left with
one big possession to deal with: their
existing home!
aside the items you're keeping, gifting
precious heirlooms; selling off other
possessions; donating other items;
and disposing of what little is left; in
many cases seniors are still left with
one big possession to deal with: their
existing home!
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
A senior couple moving into a
downsized living environment are likely
to be faced with selling their existing
home. Often the proceeds from the
sale of their home will finance the
purchase of their new downsized home
with (hopefully) equity remaining to
A senior couple moving into a
downsized living environment are likely
to be faced with selling their existing
home. Often the proceeds from the
sale of their home will finance the
purchase of their new downsized home
with (hopefully) equity remaining to
provide living expenses after the move.
Understandably, it is vitally important that seniors, many of whom have not been active in the
real estate market for decades, get the most competent, informed, professional help in listing
and selling their existing home and buying their new home.
Understandably, it is vitally important that seniors, many of whom have not been active in the
real estate market for decades, get the most competent, informed, professional help in listing
and selling their existing home and buying their new home.
| The successful sale of an existing home can often provide the funding for a new, downsized lifestyle! |
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has established a senior-related classification
for qualifying realtors: Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). Seniors Real Estate Specialists
go through a comprehensive training program to qualify for the SRES designation. After earning
the SRES credential, SRES realtors possess the knowledge to effectively help 50+ clients with
the difficulties accompanying lifestyle transitions, such as home downsizing; relocation;
refinancing; and the sale of existing homes. Their areas of special expertise include:
for qualifying realtors: Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). Seniors Real Estate Specialists
go through a comprehensive training program to qualify for the SRES designation. After earning
the SRES credential, SRES realtors possess the knowledge to effectively help 50+ clients with
the difficulties accompanying lifestyle transitions, such as home downsizing; relocation;
refinancing; and the sale of existing homes. Their areas of special expertise include:
| A Seniors Real Estate Specialist is uniquely-qualified to help seniors get the most out of the entire lifestyle downsizing process |
- Application of federal laws for Housing of Older Persons
Act (HOPA) - Assemblage of team of experts (attorneys, movers,
estate sales firms, etc.) - Expertise in the uses, benefits and procedures of
reverse mortgages - Comprehensive knowledge of the uses of 401K
accounts, IRA's and pensions in real estate transactions - Understanding of how Medicare, Medicaid and Social
Security play various roles in 50+ real estate transactions - Ability to recognize mortgage finance and loan scams
typically targeted at 50+ borrowers
Seniors Real Estate Specialists can undoubtedly play a key role in helping seniors make
their transitions into a downsized lifestyle easily and as stress-free as possible!
For more information consult the SRES website: www.seniorsrealestate.com
their transitions into a downsized lifestyle easily and as stress-free as possible!
For more information consult the SRES website: www.seniorsrealestate.com
The Actual Household Move: The Devil is in the Details
There are many reputable movers. Bekins, Mayflower, Allied and others are all nationally
recognized firms with core competencies in moving and storage.
There are many reputable movers. Bekins, Mayflower, Allied and others are all nationally
recognized firms with core competencies in moving and storage.
| Moving for Seniors is often more than just piling boxes into a truck and moving them to Point B. Moving a senior's household can be more complex and emotionally-charged and requires a lot of expertise, compassion and sensitivity. |
Senior Move Managers
A relocation event for seniors, sometimes coping with
not only an address-change, but an entire lifestyle shift,
can present a more complex scope of issues than
traditional movers deal with on a daily basis. A relatively
new relocation specialist has emerged as a solution to
the challenges many seniors face during a downsizing
relocation: "Senior Move Manager" (SMM). In many
cases, Senior Move Managers offer vertically-integrated
consulting services which are designed to assist older
adults and their families with the entire range of
stressful, complicated issues stemming from lifestyle
changes.
Senior Move Managers will come to a senior's
current home, evaluate what is intended for the move,
visit the move-to location and make certain it will all fit.
A relocation event for seniors, sometimes coping with
not only an address-change, but an entire lifestyle shift,
can present a more complex scope of issues than
traditional movers deal with on a daily basis. A relatively
new relocation specialist has emerged as a solution to
the challenges many seniors face during a downsizing
relocation: "Senior Move Manager" (SMM). In many
cases, Senior Move Managers offer vertically-integrated
consulting services which are designed to assist older
adults and their families with the entire range of
stressful, complicated issues stemming from lifestyle
changes.
Senior Move Managers will come to a senior's
current home, evaluate what is intended for the move,
visit the move-to location and make certain it will all fit.
The SMM may make recommendations as to how the new living space should be laid out; where
furniture would be best-placed; if items would be better off left out of the move; etc. Often the
SMM will directly coordinate with any facility placement advisors or new resident managers at a
move-to retirement community or assisted living facility.
The Senior Move Manager will directly provide services and/or supervise a full-range of
professionally-qualified sub-contractors to make the senior relocation as easy and smooth as
possible. These services may include:
furniture would be best-placed; if items would be better off left out of the move; etc. Often the
SMM will directly coordinate with any facility placement advisors or new resident managers at a
move-to retirement community or assisted living facility.
The Senior Move Manager will directly provide services and/or supervise a full-range of
professionally-qualified sub-contractors to make the senior relocation as easy and smooth as
possible. These services may include:
| The Devil is always in the details of a senior relocation. A Senior Move Manager can help make a senior move go seamlessly |
- Assist with planning of furniture placement in the move-to location
- Aid in the organization of household belongings
- Sorting and packing household goods, clothing and belongings
- Home electronics disconnect, reconnect and troubleshoot
- Supervision of movers during relocation process
- Unpacking of clothing and household goods at the move-to location
- Putting unpacked items away at move-to location - organizing space
- Properly dispose of left-behind toxic materials (paint, varnish, etc.)
- Collaborate with realtor to guide seniors through the sales process
- All activities involved in implementing an "Aging in Place" strategy
which habilitates a senior's existing home in such a way to make
remaining in the current home easier and more comfortable for the
senior. Household adjustments and additions such as entry ramps;
widened doorways; decorative grab bars; walk-in bathtubs; home
stair-lifts; etc., may be part of the needs-assessment. A qualified
Senior Move Manager can facilitate all of these needed changes and
teach the senior residents how to best live with and take advantage
of these alterations
Although the emergence of Senior Move Managers in the relocation industry is relatively new, a
professional member's association was established in 2002: National Association of Senior
Move Managers (NASMM). The mission of the NASMM is to promote consumer awareness of
this special relocation industry niche, establish best-class member standards for professionalism
and ethics, and provide members with education and training not only in relocation techniques
but the importance of providing senior-move services with a strong degree of empathy,
compassion and respect for senior clients often engaged in one of the most stressful and
emotionally-charged moves of their lives. The NASMM website is: www.nasmm.org
professional member's association was established in 2002: National Association of Senior
Move Managers (NASMM). The mission of the NASMM is to promote consumer awareness of
this special relocation industry niche, establish best-class member standards for professionalism
and ethics, and provide members with education and training not only in relocation techniques
but the importance of providing senior-move services with a strong degree of empathy,
compassion and respect for senior clients often engaged in one of the most stressful and
emotionally-charged moves of their lives. The NASMM website is: www.nasmm.org
Arizona
Adult Foster Care
Assisted Living
In-Home Care
Idaho
Adult Foster Care
Assisted Living
In-Home Care
Nevada
Adult Foster Care
Assisted Living
Home Health Care
In-Home Care
Oregon
Adult Foster Care
Assisted Living
In-Home Care
Washington State
Adult Foster Care
Assisted Living
In-Home Care
Selected Cities
Las Vegas, Nevada
Assisted Living
Phoenix, Arizona
Adult Foster Care
Portland, Oregon
Assisted Living
Seattle, Washington
Adult Foster Care
| The SRES designation and logo are administered by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) |
