As we age, we demand specialists in our health needs, so why not in our housing and equity needs as well?

An SRES® brings:

• A customized approach to your situation, working to fit your living situation in with your overall life plan
• Expertise and patience throughout the transaction
• An awareness of options and a network of solid, reliable referrals to help you in the process
• A variety of choices to reduce out of pocket expenses, gain cash, or create or defer income streams to either stay independent or obtain financial assistance

Selling a senior's most valued and valuable asset, their home, and the subsequent move, often requires unique expertise on a number of different fronts. One compelling reason to choose an SRES® is that you'll gain access to their network of related service professionals. For seniors, that includes specialists across a wide array of financial, legal, property and personal services, from estate planning to downsizing.

Sometimes an older parent has a trusted attorney and accountant. If they don't, an SRES® can usually refer them and their adult children to elder law attorneys, estate planners, financial planners and tax advisors with experience in elder issues.

An SRES® maintains a professional network that includes individuals who can help with various steps of the sale and move, offering assistance on these and other matters:

• The decision to sell: reverse mortgage counselors can look at ways to use the home's equity to allow a senior to remain in their home, if that's preferred
• Prior to listing: tax specialists and financial planners to examine ways to protect assets
• Preparing the home for showing: handymen, landscapers and clutter reduction specialists
• Legal considerations: real estate attorneys to help with estate planning or closing
• Moving: downsizing experts, senior moving specialists, estate sale planners, storage facilities

An SRES® also has ties throughout the local senior community. Many agents actively participate in a variety of senior and community service organizations. They can provide referrals to resources such as Meals on Wheels, public benefit offices, transitional services coaches, grief counselors, and other services, as needed.

A REALTOR® who chooses to become an SRES® does so because he or she enjoys interacting with seniors. Their decision to become an SRES® is rooted in a desire to help others. It means that your REALTOR® has respect for older individuals; has the ability to listen deeply and ask the right questions; knows how to communicate the old-fashioned way, with a handshake and a visit. Be prepared to sit and chat awhile. They'll want to take time to get to know you and your family's situation, as you'll want to learn more about them.

An SRES®understands that this can be a stressful time for a family. It's hard to deal with leaving a home after spending many years in it. Perhaps the parent would actually prefer to go on living there. Your agent wants to understand the challenges you all face in this major decision. By doing so, they can present all available options, so that the outcome is one that will suit the family's needs.

At times, the amount of information coming your way may seem overwhelming. An SRES® is there to help by tailoring meetings to a senior's needs. Don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you'd like until you feel comfortable with the steps to the sales process and other potentially-complicated details. An SRES® may suggest taking breaks so you can absorb the information, and may want to break up the prelisting-process over several visits to your home.