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51 Comments on Dealing With the Elderly Requires More Than Just Patience
Oh boy you are so on track. In our area we see older houses with good (it works) kitchens yet the bueyrs walk in and see horrendous amounts of work. The sellers think the oven works, so what! The buyer thinks they must gut the kitchen to make it livable to them. Ugh.
Well said Ed. We get so caught up with technology that sometimes we forget to appreciate that a senior is in a different place.
Ed, I had a caller on Monday leave me a message asking me to call a certain phone number which I did. No response back so yesterday I called the number he had called me on instead of the number he had left me. He could not figure out how I had gotten that number. (Caller Id on my cell). Then he couldn't remember which property he had called about but knew what kind of property he was interested in. He used being 65 years of age as a reason for not being able to get around on the internet and wanted me to send him links etc... which is fine, that's part of what we do. BUT what dawned on me is that each one of us decides sometimes at what point we are going to start claiming age as the inhibitor to keeping up with new technology.
Ed -- Excellent point on putting details into writing and having the client and a family member sign off. Simply accepting that the elderly client will tell his/her son or daughter is not a safe practice. Being a little more diligent upfront will prevent misunderstandings and subsequent issues later on. Nice post.
What did you say Ed ??? I didn't hear you ...
Wonderful post congrats on you star !
Hannah
Yes, yes, yes and yes. I've written about those exact same things. It can be hard, but also rewarding and if they like you, they are very loyal.
Brian, I just took this class up close and personal all on practical. Thanks for stopping.
Peggy, it takes a lot of conversation and patience to get through the transaction
Kathy, thanks, this client just wasn't getting the nature of the way the system works now.
Sheila, that is sad for the woman that can't grasp the situation and has a family that is in denial
Pamela. dealing with people that might have a problem grasping the entire deal requires an agent with a great deal of moral fiber and integrity so they do not get taken for a ride
Barbara, I do have a couple of 55+ communities that I have been working in and they do require a great deal of patience
Suzanne, I'm earning my SRES the old fashioned way, one transaction at a time
Nancy, after a bit it becomes more a matter of dealing with an elderly family member for the degree of care that is given.
Rich, that is definitely the case. They need help and when you offer to take over they are so appreciative, but getting them to sign that agreement keeps the pressure off.
Ginny, you and me as well, and every day a little closer
Marie, so true, I would tell here occasionally that she was being treated just like a senior aunt might be treated.
Debb, I didn't take psychology classes in college so I need to wing it.
Tammie, for them it's always, But I think it looks so nice, why wouldn't they like it?
Anna, the family member is important provided they don't become more of a hindrance
Andy, and maybe explain it twice at least
Sandy, thanks, it does take patience
Betty, having the papers signed was important as the lawyers would have nothing to say especially if there were money involved
Donald, this kitchen was at least 60 years old
MC, I have dealt with a few 'grown-ups' recently and they do take extra care.
Carla, the scenario is very similar and it has been harsh for a lot of people
Barb, it requires taking a viewpoint that this could be one of our own family members
William, thanks and thanks for stopping
Cheryl, my guess is that it is a long way off and there will be someone there for you
Beth, I did get some insight on life 70 years ago
Bryan, once they understand that you are trying to help them they become more receptive.
Julia, some things just go easier once all have read and signed
Juli, at 95 this was the oldest client I have had to date
Reba, having someone around that can help is good, but it isn't always the case.
Teral, having someone else to hear the details prevents problems.
Karen, thanks, and yes the elderly do need extra attention
Thanks A & P, sometimes they just write themselves for the way the story develops
Erica, that's when it gets difficult as the seller has already made a concession for the work needed but the buyers want the sellers to subsidize it as well.
Ellie, for the elderly the way we need to do business is an alien method that they have difficulty understanding.
Judi, for some things I am already there with the age excuse. We do have to second guess as well.
Barbara, the minute we believe that something is not being understood, is when it should be put in writing, regardless of age.
Hannah, I'll put it in writing for you, but bigger font
OK Jill, I take it you agree
Ed -- You have written a very compelling post and you have hit on some very important aspects of working with an elderly seller. I think it is great advice to have other family members involved.
You have to have patience and understanding. I love working with all people, but the love I get back from older people is amazing. (It maybe because I love to listen to their stories) Unfortunately today, I had the downside and had to attend the funeral of one of my clients.
Love your comment about earning your SRES the old fashioned way, one transaction at a time!
Excellent post. Sometimes they mention their "new roof" even though it was put on brand new 18 years ago. Same goes for other big ticket items like furnace or the kitchen they remodeled in 1975. It's hard to tell them that their pride and joy is actually now a problem item.
Always, always, treat the elderly with utmost respect. They accomplished much in their life.
There is probably some deferred maint. on homes owned by the elderly I would think.
Kevin
Ed, Your post hit a few emotional chords with me as I have always had older people as good friends and sometimes their lives move much slower than ours and because they exist in yesterdays. Congrats on the well deserved feature!
Apparently, you didn't learn much at all, the elderly may have physical problems they didn't have before, and may be a little slower in processing things as fast as they once did, but most are just the same as any other group, you are the one adding on features you need not add, things are not always how they seem. They may have problems but they are not exclusive to the elderly.
I am one of the elderly, and the past few years have spent a lot of time serving the so called elderly by choice and for free. Elderly, a term I hate because of the prejudices that go along it and with the general perceptions. Elderly was intended as a medical term, not a classification of a society. As a broker I can out perform you any day of the week but to a younger person just being informed of my services and knowing my age they seem to think I am supposed to be in some senior day care center drooling over my self instead of producing. I can jump to their age group in a minute, which is a reminder of the old George Burns song that went I know what it is to be young being sung to a young person but you don't know what it's like to be old. Yes, I know, who is George Burns.
Generally when it comes to housing problems they have the same problems any other age group can have. My clientele in 2012 generally has the same basic problems as my clientele did in 1955.