On Saturday we celebrated my mother-in-law's 92nd birthday. She uses a walker now - thanks to a broken hip - but she still manages her own affairs, plays bridge (including duplicate), gardens, and dotes on her cat, Muffin.
She is also the reason I decided to become certified as a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES).
Five years ago my mother-in-law decided to sell her house Florida and move to Goodwin House here in Alexandria.
She made the decision on her own time and very quickly. It left little time for preparation but I found a competent agent and her house sold in two weeks. We were very lucky.
But not everyone is. Just going through the process with her and remembering what my own parents had endured long before I became an agent, I decided that I would take the time to learn just what a Senior Residential Specialist can offer.
Consider this: my in-laws were products of the great depression and did not believe in credit. During their lifetime they built three different houses in three different state and they NEVER, EVER had a mortgage.
It was all done with cash and a handshake. They probably never even used a real estate agent but simply bought their land directly from the owner - with cash and a handshake.
Just think how strange today's transactions must have seemed to my mother-in-law.
SRES agents understand that this extreme downsizing is often done under duress or when the homeowner is not in the best of health, physically or mentally. It may occur after the death of a spouse or partner with whom the client has shared a lifetime. It may mean leaving friends and moving to another city or state. Each of these components is difficult and taken together it is almost a tsunami.
SRES agents learn that a "team" approach is often helpful. If needed, I will put together a team to include a social worker, health care provider, investment counselor, family member, estate sale/moving specialist, etc. etc. Some of the members, like a health care provider
and investment counselor, may have already worked with my client for years, but having everyone working together can make a huge difference.
SRES agents learn that patience is key. Terms and conditions need to be explained and then explained again. The client may ask the same question every day for weeks. Patience.
SRES agents learn about communication. And for me, this - and patience - are key. In two recent listings I have done for senior clients, neither had computers, fax machines, or cell phones. One did not even have an answering machine. Because of that, most of our conversations were face to face and I had to hand deliver documents. It was definitely a change from the way I normally do business but you know what? I kind of liked it! Old-fashioned simple communication at its best.
SRES agents are often the voice of reason between family members. A SRES agent is a neutral entity, working in the best interests of his/her client. It is a local SRES agent who understands the market and knows that pricing is key for today's buyers.
Can I help you or someone you know make the move of a lifetime? Let me show you what a Senior Real Estate Specialist can offer. Call me at 703.927.4554 or email at michael.bergin2@verizon.net.
Michael
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