What Can a SRES® Agent Offer a Mature Home Buyer?

Have you heard about the Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®), from the National Association of REALTORS®?

The SRES credential is a sign that an agent can support the goals and needs of older clients. The SRES agent has been trained in the unique challenges of those who enter the market aged 50+.

What Do Seniors Real Estate Specialists Bring to the Table?

Agents with the SRES designation study and understand:

• The challenge of applying for a home loan on retirement income. The SRES agent knows the consequences of deed changes on retirement goals. The agent’s networks will include financial advisers, tax specialists, and legal professionals.

• How to provide support in the search for a safe, accessible, and comfortable location and home, and how to connect older adults with staging, renovation, and moving professionals.

• Emotional and family-related concerns associated with selling long-cherished homes.

• Risks and benefits of financial tools like reverse mortgages. These agents are well-versed in keeping their customers safe from financial exploitation.

• Laws pertaining to estate planning and age discrimination.

These agents “get” the senior client. They can help their clients with technology (or, where necessary, help them work around it).

Isn’t Experience on the Job Just as Good?

The SRES Realtor is already a licensed and experienced agent. SRES is an additional credential. Agents pay for the course work, and commit two days to the training. They continue paying an annual fee to maintain the designation.  

The training enables these agents to discuss aspects of real estate their customers need to know about. They do acquire knowledge and resources that regular agents may not have.

Of course, many agents without SRES designations are skilled at representing older adults. Many agents are willing and able to explore ideas and options for senior clients who want to downsize effectively, and plan their next chapter of life wisely.

An agent who’s in the same age group as the older client can also be especially understanding and helpful. And yet, even younger agents can prove to be excellent advocates for seniors. But be sure the younger professional has solid experience working with older adults. For younger agents, the knowledge that comes with the SRES course is particularly valuable.

Either way, the point is to find someone with hands-on experience helping seniors with real estate transactions. Older adults should not hesitate to interview prospective agents and discuss the agents’ specific experience in assisting the over-50 set.

How Can I Find and Hire a SRES Agent?

SRES agents can be harder to find in some places. But you can start with a simple search on a computer, for the terms “SRES” and the location(s) you’re interested in. The agents should appear highest in your search results. Explore more about SRES with the National Association of REALTORS®.      

Agents who specialize in real estate for older adults are becoming increasingly visible. As the leading edge of the baby boom approaches age 80, the industry is leveling up its expertise. So, if you’re planning to make changes in your homeownership status, the guidance of a Seniors Real Estate Specialist can make a difference.   

One more word to the wise. Real estate decisions are specific to each individual’s and household’s situation. Federal, state, and local taxes come into play. And of course each local market has its own dynamics. Neither this website nor any other website can supply legal, tax, or estate planning advice. Hire professionals for personalized advice and support.