Do you want to sell your home, but you’re not sure where to start? It may have been a while since you’ve sold a house and found a new place to live. So you probably have a lot of questions about what steps you need to take to get the best price for your current home and ensure that the selling process goes smoothly.
Rather than working with a local real estate agent, you may want to consider using a senior real estate specialist (SRES) who has experience working with seniors who want to sell their home. A SRES is familiar with both real estate and financial issues unique to seniors’ needs.
Understanding Your Needs
A Senior Real Estate Specialist understands the needs and priorities for clients who are making a move later in their life. In addition to handling the process and details for putting a home on the market and handling the transaction, a senior real estate agent also pays attention to the needs of their client, especially if they are in the 75-plus age range. This often means the SRES will work closely with family members so they can help their parent or relative through this process.
Selling a home you’ve lived in a long time, especially if you’ve raised a family there, can be a very emotional experience for the homeowner. A SRES can objectively assess your house and suggest changes to make it easier to sell it. For example, staging professionals can make changes to a home so it appeals to as many potential buyers as possible.
Meeting Your Needs
A SRES can help you find a new place that meets your needs.You may need some advice or counseling on what makes the most sense for a new home. It’s likely you would like to downsize and live in a smaller, more manageable home. You’ll also need to decide if you want to rent or buy another place. These options include:
- A one-story, small house or condo that’s easier to take care of and live in, especially if your mobility is limited.
- A retirement community, which often has a homeowner’s association and provides maintenance for the yard and property.
- An assisted living home if you want to have your own place, and have onsite help for daily living or medical care needs.
While each of these options have notable pros and cons, the SRES will be able to help you identify which option is best suited to your needs, desires and budget.
Streamlined Process
A SRES can either provide or coordinate help for the moving process, financial considerations and other needs. Since moving can seem like an overwhelming experience, a SRES can refer you to a senior relocation specialist who can help you pack your belongings, coordinate your move with a moving company, and unpack items at your new home.
You may also need financial or legal advice. Since your home is probably one of your biggest assets and selling it and buying a new home can affect your other finances, including pensions, Social Security, Medicare, estate planning and more. A SRES can help you find the right person to provide the right expertise in senior real estate and financial issues.
How to get started
If you’re ready to put your home on the market, here’s a checklist to get started:
- Find a senior real estate specialist.
- Decide where you want to live after selling your home.
- Start the packing and moving process.
If you’re looking for a senior citizen real estate specialist and resources to help you sell your home and move, the Long-Term Living Association (LTLA) is here to support you during this process. To learn more, visit their website at longtermliving.org or call 1-800-868-1193 to make an appointment.
