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Who do you call when an SRES isn't enough? NASMM!

Where do your Realtor obligations end when you have a senior client who just needs more than you usually are obligated or expected to give? What do you do when you have a client who is emotionally overwhelmed with the thought of leaving a home filled with decades of memories? Couple that with the thought of possible loss of indepedence? Or a client who is physically overwhelmed with the task of sorting through decades of collecting because they lived through the depression and never throw anything away? Or maybe they do throw things away but are now moving into a place a fraction of the size of their current home and don't know what to do with the stuff that won't fit? Or maybe they're prone to a touch of senility and can't put it all together. Or maybe just the physical demands of moving are overwhelming them? And how do they know what will fit and won't fit anyway?

You're not responsible for sorting or selling or de-cluttering their belongings, nevermind the chore of packing or unpacking them in their new home. Maybe you're not even a Realtor. Perhaps you are an estate planner, mortgage broker, elder law attorney, etc who works with some seniors. Doesn't matter. Being the protective professional that you are, you know that this is a vulnerable age group and you want to be sure your clients are in safe hands. You want to know that whoever steps in to take over where you leave off will have your client's best interests at heart. But who is that person?

Me of course!

I'm a Certified Relocation and Transition Specialist (CRTS) and Senior Move Manager in Boston and a I specialize in providing all of the assistance an older adult needs to make a stress-free transition in a caring, sensitive way. I'm not alone though. I'm part of rapidly growing organization known as the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM). We do all sorts of things to help seniors right-size their lives.

Each senior move manager offers different services but the following are some of the common ones:

Staging services
Creation of a thorough moving calendar/plan
Sorting and organizing
Floor plan for the new space so you can decide what stays and what must go
Coordination with auctioneers/charitable organizations/consignment shops/estate sales/junk removal,etc.
Secure document destruction
Minor repairs for the new home
Packing
Coordinating transfer/connection/disconnection of utilities, paper delivery, lawn services, etc
Overseeing the move
Cleaning the old home
Unpacking
Some of us will even stock the refrigerator!
And all sorts of other stuff..

The senior move industry is relatively young but is growing very rapidly. Most likely there is already someone in your neighborhood who is a senior move manager. Finding us is simple: go to nasmm.com and click on "Find a Senior Move Manager".

And, ya know what, NASMM isn't even paying me for this promotion! I just hope this blog inspires some other senior move managers to contribute more actively to Active Rain and hope this raises some awareness for all you other folks who are looking for some help out there!

Now I'm off to play mahjong with some of my new friends...

Posted by Lori Salzman - senior move management/home staging on 05/19/2008 07:54 PM

Comments (4)

assisting seniors, senior move management, moving seniors, nasmm

This post has been included in Massachusetts Information
Post is included in group: Live Free or Die
Post is included in group: Seniors Issues
Post is included in group: Seniors Real Estate Specialists

4 Comments on Who do you call when an SRES isn't enough? NASMM!

What a good idea. I haven't come across this situation yet, but clearly with the aging of America's Baby Boomers we will see more elderly sellers who need some extra help and it is nice to have an idea of where to look for that help.

05/19/2008 08:27 PM

by Beth Anderson ~ Tecumseh / Lenawee County ~Realtor (Success, Realtors)

Hello from another NASMM member! Lori, your explanation of what we do is excellent.

Now, a couple of questions: we are a new company and have not taken formal staging classes. A person has come to me who is certified in redesign. We were waiting until we had more clients to bring on more staff as there are three staff members who are certified by MoveSeniors.com and who are members of NASMM. I am also a member of NAPO.

We started moves in March of 2008; it's still quiet here so we've done a number of small jobs, too -- more small than large. By the 4th of July we'll have completed 10 jobs. My question is: "Do you think it is wise for me to go ahead and bring the redesign person on board now?

Also, we are the "new kids on the block" here, as there are two established companies. I think business is slow for everybody but it won't stay that way. We are thinking of offering a discount to a community for the people moving into an upscale complex, noting this will be an inaugaral way for us to provide support. I don't want to focus on our being new because our team is composed of seasoned professionals who have great skills and a strong work ethic.

Is there a specific way you would suggest we market ourselves in this situation?

And, by the way, I was born in Greenfield, MA and grew up in Montague...attended UMASS until I moved to Florida in my Junior year...still visit family up there from time to time. Perhaps I'll help move people up your way one day!

Looking forward to hearing from you..

Ann Hutchens, MDIV, CRTS, Senior Move Manager and Certified Relocation and Transition Specialist serving greater Orlando area through Creating Divine Order.

06/16/2008 10:29 PM

by Ann Hutchens (Creating Divine Order)

Hi Ann,

How nice to hear from you. I knew I couldn't be the only NASMM member out here in ARland.

Regarding your redesigner question, I would have to ask: why do you want to her/him? Is it because you are having trouble in that area? Or do you feel a more well-rounded team will make your company more marketable?

First, I should point out that there is a difference between redesign and staging. Although they require a similar eye and talent, staging is as much, if not more, about marketing strategy than it is about technique. So, if you want to hire this person to help with staging as well as setting up the new homes, be sure they know a thing or two about staging.

If you feel you have those bases covered well enough and are contemplating hiring this person because you feel a more well-rounded team will make you more marketable, I would hold off.

In fact, I would probably hold off anyway. As a new company, your income v. expenses ratio is probably a little bit disproportionate and work is a little slow. Why would you want to lower your income any more than you have to? My suggestion is, if you need more hands to handle the work you have, then consider hiring someone who can add to the services you already offer, giving you a more well-rounded company but I don't think I would ever take on a new employee without the income stream to support it.

As for marketing strategy, the long and short of it is there is no sure-fire answer but I'll answer that for you in greater detail in private.

Thanks for your response to blog.

Lori

06/17/2008 09:43 AM

by Lori Salzman - senior move management/home staging (Room To Improve)

NASMM certified is a plus.

06/17/2008 06:14 PM

by Kevin McGourty - Moving Help - nationwide (MovingHelp.com)

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