Helping seniors with their real estate needs is one of my favorite niche markets, and I know exactly how and way it became so for me.

Some events get seared into one's memory and become a turning point in life, and one of those for me was when my mother, then in her eighties, decided the time had come for her to sell her home of over 50 years.

The first big decision was to choose where to live: should she stay in the town she knew so well, with friends nearby; move to a nearby retirement area where many other friends had moved; move to a new town to be close to family? Once that was decided, it was time to sell the house.

I saw first-hand what was difficult for her:

• sorting, packing, deciding what to take with her and what to leave
• trying to figure out the best way to dispose of treasured belongings
• trying to decide which Realtor she should work with
• trying not to feel overwhelmed by strong personalities
• having the physical energy to tackle these projects

I also saw what helped her, what gave her some peace of mind and eased the burdens:

• when people--bankers, insurance agents, friends, family--slowed down and listened to her
• when people showed her there are solutions to things that had become stumbling blocks
• a friendly touch, a smile, a gentle hug

After she passed away in 2001 I found myself thinking about this more and more, and wished I had been in a position to better help ease her transition from beloved home in a country-like setting, to an assisted living facility, the San Carlos Elms.

I discovered that when I worked with older clients, it made me feel closer to my mother.

I found resources that could be helpful, I learned that slowing my usual fast-paced style helped me as well as them, I found myself smiling more, being more relaxed.

So many things in my life I owe to my beloved mother, including this special area of my real estate practice.

(A side note: one of the Seniors with whom I'm working right now is a woman who used to volunteer at the San Carlos Elms when my mother lived there--she lead a chair-yoga class, and practiced Reiki, which my mother loved. You can bet the extra time I spend helping her and her husband brings much joy and satisfaction to my life.)

When a life event shows you the way, follow it. It can be a most rewarding path.

--- Just another benefit of living here!

Lottie Kendall, Realtor

Today | Sotheby's International Realty

San Carlos, California, 94070

CA BRE#01215160; 650-465-4547

Lottie@LottieKendall.com;

www.LottieKendall.com

www.SFCondosForMe.com