| I am a native of Tidewater Virginia, which | | | | they do not need. This is a mistake that will only |
| encompasses counties and towns in the Chesapeake | | | | alienate the senior buyer and seller of real estate. |
| Bay area from Virginia Beach, to Hampton, Newport | | | | Instead, focused attention on their needs and service |
| News, Williamsburg and New Kent County. Even | | | | that reflects this are important. |
| before I entered the real estate profession I | | | | Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation |
| watched the real estate market change and evolve | | | | Because I work with so many mature buyers and |
| over many decades. The Tidewater area, which | | | | sellers of real estate, I decided to obtain my Senior |
| includes Greater Williamsburg, is a pleasant location | | | | Real Estate Specialist designation so I could better |
| for retirement mainly because of the temperate | | | | serve seniors. If you are looking for a REALTOR with |
| climate and convenient location on the Eastern | | | | the same certification, ask if they have an SRES |
| seaboard. Many military retirees who have served | | | | certification. Through the SRES program, I obtained |
| much of their career in the area simply opt to stay in | | | | special training to help seniors through major financial |
| Southeastern Virginia when they retire. | | | | and lifestyle transitions including: relocating, refinancing, |
| Find a REALTOR Who Knows the Local Market | | | | or selling the family home. For my mature clients, I |
| Because of its growing popularity for senior retirees, | | | | inform them about updates, changes to real estate |
| Southeastern Virginia is experiencing both a building | | | | law or taxes, and other matters which impact |
| boon and a shortage of inventory in resells. For this | | | | property value, sale, or purchase for seniors. |
| reason, seniors relocating to Southeastern Virginia are | | | | Post Retirement Lifestyle Decisions |
| best served by choosing a realtor who is seasoned in | | | | Often when I am helping a senior buy or sell a home, |
| the local market and has experience buying and selling | | | | I understand they are faced with making life-altering |
| real estate for seniors. | | | | decisions. This includes leaving the state where their |
| What the Mature Buyer Needs in a REALTOR | | | | children and grandchildren live for a more temperate |
| I have worked with many retirees and helped them | | | | climate, or selling a dwelling which as been a family |
| to create a smooth transition for relocating in this | | | | home for 30 or more years. |
| prime market. Mature buyers and sellers of real | | | | Downsizing for Retirement |
| estate want a REALTOR who will listen to their | | | | Some seniors choose to downsize their home after |
| needs and execute a search that meets their criteria | | | | their children leave. For them, several choices are |
| closely. Sometimes mature buyers have health | | | | apparent right away. Relocating seniors may select a |
| related issues that affect their search criteria. They | | | | home that requires less of their free time in |
| do not need to be reminded of health problems | | | | maintenance, a townhouse or condominium where |
| — yet I always keep these facts uppermost | | | | exterior maintenance is included, or a home in a |
| in my mind when I’m searching for their home. | | | | gated full amenities senior living community. In each |
| Some REALTORS choose to ignore a senior’s | | | | instance, a real estate decision, as well as a life |
| criteria and attempt to sell them products or services | | | | changing decision, has to be made. |