REALTOR DESIGNATIONS
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
HE NATIONAL
T
ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS (NAR)
added the Seniors
Real Estate Specialist
(SRES) to its curriculum in March
2007, a
BY STACY E. DOMINGO
decade after
the program was established by the
Senior Advantage Real Estate Council.
According to SeniorsRealEstate.
com, Seniors Real Estate Specialists
have completed the following
courses designed to help them help
their clients navigate the precarious
and ever-changing senior real estate
market: distinguishing character-
istics and trends related to the 55+ Candace McGranahan, a consul- their Medicare, Medicaid and Social
population; housing, finance and tant who serves the SRES Council Security benefits. McGranahan
retirement income considerations of and former manager of Program explains that an SRES realtor is
these consumers; outreach methods Development for SRES, says realtors trained to help clients based on
for building 55 and older clientele; who complete the course learn to their individual financial situation.
and counseling strategies to help transition from being a salesperson They also are able to recognize and
clients and customers plan ahead to becoming an advisor. protect their clients from shady
for life transitions. “SRES realtors are aware that most mortgage and loan schemes that
older consumers have needs other than target older buyers.
the biggest decision of buying and sell- “Those who fall victim to these
ing,” she says. “An SRES realtor is not scams are usually your nearest and
the final word, but they can provide dearest,” says McGranahan, who has
many options for their clients.” come across many examples in her
In choosing the options that fit them real estate career.
best, seniors must consider the type of She believes the personal approach
housing they require, as well as financ- used by SRES designees makes them
ing, moving and possibly renovating. an important asset to older buyers.
In addition to the traditional options, Empathy is a crucial element for
housing choices range from age-re- Kathy Slade, a realtor with RE/
stricted communities to age-in-place MAX Great Atlanta in Georgia.
developments, for those who want to “There are a lot of challenges with
remain independent and in familiar the age group,” she explains. “I
surroundings, to assisted living. always think about my parents. My
Financing also is a vitally im- father is 90 and my mother is 84. I
portant consideration for seniors. can’t help but wonder if my parents
Many baby boomers have pensions, will be treated like I treat my clients.”
401(k) accounts and IRAs they can “Anyone who has the SRES desig-
use to buy real estate, but they also nation got it because they understand,
must take into consideration how not because they want more business,”
their real estate decisions will affect she is quick to point out.
www.RetiringToFlorida.com | www.RetiringToNC.com | www.HotRetirementTowns.com
76_SRES.indd 77 11/28/07 2:23:47 PM
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