Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Working with a Seniors Real Estate Specialist

55+2021-05-03T13:28:01-04:00

Who Better To Understand Your Needs Than A Fellow Senior

As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), I specialize in addressing the needs of homebuyers and sellers over the age of 50. I became an SRES because I wanted to have the necessary knowledge and expertise to counsel clients in this age group who are moving through major financial and lifestyle transitions with relocating, refinancing, or selling the family home.

Why Choose An SRES Like Joe?

As an SRES professional, I have specialized knowledge and empathy about reverse mortgages. Also, I understand the benefits of universal design (it’s more functional and senior-friendly) as well as the use of pensions, 401k accounts, and IRAs in real estate transactions. When combining this expertise with my two decades of experience in local residential real estate, the result is an empathetic ear for my fellow seniors as well as an ability to get things done.

Being heavily involved in the local Hunterdon and Somerset communities, I have an in-depth knowledge about the services available for our senior community.

Help During The Process

Are you thinking of selling your home to move to a senior supportive environment? Perhaps you want to move in with an adult son or daughter who can help with your needs as you grow older. Whatever the reason, there may come a time when parents, along with their adult children, consider selling and moving on. To assist you, the SRES Council created a unique and valuable resource called the Moving On Guide. This comprehensive guide walks you through each step in the process, with personalized guidelines and worksheets that will help you find a living situation that is well-suited to your needs. Best of all, there is no cost or obligation to you.

What Is An SRES?

A Seniors Real Estate Specialist is a realtor who is uniquely qualified to assist seniors in housing sales and purchases. The SRES designation is awarded only to realtors who have completed a series of educational courses to learn how to help seniors and their families with later-in-life real estate transactions. These professionals are familiar with local community resources and services. They also draw upon the expertise of a network of senior specialists, such as estate planners, CPAs, and eldercare lawyers. The overall mission is to help seniors (like myself) and their families navigate the maze of financial, legal, and emotional issues that accompany the sale of the family home.

Benefits of working with a SRES

PERFECT FIT

A customized approach to your situation, working to fit your living situation in with your overall life plan

NETWORK OPTIONS

An awareness of options and a network of solid, reliable referrals to help you in the process

PROVEN PROFESSIONALS

Expertise and patience throughout the transaction. I also lend a lot of empathy in having already gone through it myself

SAVE MONEY

A variety of choices to reduce out of pocket expenses, gain cash, or create or defer income streams to either stay independent or obtain financial assistance

WHAT IS AN SRES?

Find out what you can expect when you call Joseph “Joe” Peters of Coldwell Banker with your buying or selling needs.

  • EXPERIENCE

    Has knowledge, experience and compassion in dealing with senior issues.

  • MULTIPLE OPTIONS

    Can suggest housing alternatives, including ones that may allow an aging parent to remain in the home instead of selling it.

  • UNDERSTANDING

    Will take the time needed to make a client feel comfortable with the complex selling (and sometimes buying) processes.

  • SMOOTH TRANSITION

    Understands the emotional demands a sale can make on a senior, and tries to minimize them.

  • BENEFICIAL NETWORKING

    Has a wide network of other senior-focused professionals who can assist in tax counseling, financial and estate planning, and other aspects of the sale and move.

  • SPECIALIZED

    Works first and foremost with the best interests of the client in mind.

  • PATIENT

    Takes a no-pressure approach to the transaction and has a strong service orientation.

  • SPECIALIZED NEEDS

    Tailors the marketing of a home to the needs of an older client.

  • SUPPORT SERVICES

    Is knowledgeable about local senior housing options and elder support services.

  • MULTI-GENERATIONAL

    Can interact easily with all generations, including seniors, adult children and caretakers.

55+ RESOURCES

Joe Peters has compiled news, articles, guides and more!

Fishbowl Circle - 55+ Home Buyers and Sellers

55+ Buyers

Buying a residence as a senior can be both exciting and daunting. The excitement stems from anticipating new beginnings in a fresh environment. It’s daunting because there are so many types of 50+ residences, finite resources and sometimes emotional hurdles to overcome.

Selling For Top Dollar Featured Image

55+ Sellers

Selling a home is rarely simple–and selling a senior’s home can add additional considerations and complexity. Your SRES®can modify some aspects of their marketing efforts to meet the individual needs of senior homeowners. Learn the essential steps you can expect during the process, after listing papers are signed.

How To Sell A Home Guide Featured Image

Healthcare Needs

As years pass, even the most independent individuals may need help with basic daily needs. For seniors who are moving into a residence that provides assisted living care, this may not be an issue. However, if a senior decides to remain in their home, or is moving in with a son or daughter, daily caregiving needs can become a major concern.

An adult child living nearby is usually the first among siblings to become aware of an elderly parent’s need for assisted living. There may be more parental requests for help around the house, or a noticeable decline in home maintenance. Perhaps there is a health crisis. Whatever the cause, it may be a good time for the parent and all relevant family members to discuss developing a plan for meeting the senior’s medical and other needs.

Selling First Impressions Featured Image - Home interior

Legal Considerations

Because the laws surrounding senior issues are so complicated, actions like selling senior homes can affect areas that seem unrelated but are critical to a senior’s well-being, such as qualification for senior benefits. It is important to retain the services of an attorney who specializes in senior homes and elder law, who can structure legal documents and transactions in a way that protects the assets, benefits and rights of an aging parent.

Buy First or Sell First Featured Image

Glossery

Find resources, as well as definitions of terms used in the 55+ home buying and selling process.

Buy First or Sell First Featured Image

FREE Seller & Buyer Guide PDF!

Selling your home quickly and efficiently is an art. Make your home attractive and sellable real estate with my free Home Sellers Guide. This guide is for residents who are looking to sell a home in Hunterdon County or Somerset County, New Jersey.

55+ FAQs

Legal considerations with senior homes2021-03-15T13:10:17-04:00

Because the laws surrounding senior issues are so complicated, actions like selling senior homes can affect areas that seem unrelated but are critical to a senior’s well-being, such as qualification for senior benefits. It is important to retain the services of an attorney who specializes in senior homes and elder law, who can structure legal documents and transactions in a way that protects the assets, benefits and rights of an aging parent.

An attorney could be beneficial in many parts of the sale of a senior home and the moving process. Elder law attorneys understand issues specific to seniors and have extensive knowledge across a number of senior-related areas.

Elder law attorneys understand issues specific to seniors and have extensive knowledge across a number of senior-related areas.

Should I Buy First Or Sell First?2020-10-14T10:56:27-04:00

While The Answer To This Basic Question Is As Individual As You Are, Here Are Some Things To Consider.

Generally speaking, under most market conditions, real estate professionals advise listing your present home and shopping for your new home simultaneously. Nonetheless, you should talk to me about your personal situation, so you can consider how fast you need to sell and how long you should expect it to take in current market conditions.

If you have very specific criteria – like location, size, views, age, etc. which could lead to a time-consuming home search – you should consider finding and buying a home first before you sell your existing home. If necessary, your offer to buy a home can be contingent on selling yours. On the other hand, if you sell first, you can make your sale dependent on finding a home to buy.

Seasonality can play a role in deciding when to sell – with spring and fall the most popular seasons to put a home on the market.

I can help you consider the effect of other factors like interest rates, consumer confidence, month’s supply and typical times to sell at your specific price range in the local economy.

What about aging in place?2021-03-15T13:10:39-04:00

Most seniors would prefer to age in place, but health and aging issues can prevent full access to the house. Raised thresholds and bathrooms represent fall risks, doorknobs become difficult to turn, and stairs are hard to climb. Seniors may feel trapped in certain are of their homes, forcing them to consider moving when they don’t want to do so.

Accessibility and safety can also become issues when an aging parent moves in with an adult child, prompting a need for home renovations. It can be difficult for a homeowner to determine what changes are needed and how they should be made.

In these situations, your SRES® may be able to refer you to an aging-in-place specialist who can evaluate your home, find problem areas, and suggest home modifications.

What are the financial considerations?2021-03-15T13:11:00-04:00

You may need assistance with sorting out the complex decisions and figuring out what role your real estate investment plays in your overall financial picture? Those considerations include taxes, retirement savings withdrawal schedules, long-term care needs, inheritance issues and others.

As a SRES® designee, I understand managing capital gains and the tax implications of owning real estate. I can provide information that addresses a host of issues, such as the uses of pensions, 401K accounts, and IRAs in real estate transactions, and how Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security affect real estate decisions for senior citizens. And, I can introduce you to an attorney or tax advisor that specializes in those areas.

What are the healthcare and assisted living considerations?2021-03-15T13:09:47-04:00

As years pass, even the most independent individuals may need help with basic daily needs. For seniors who are moving into a residence that provides assisted living care, this may not be an issue. However, if a senior decides to remain in their home, or is moving in with a son or daughter, daily caregiving needs can become a major concern.

An adult child living nearby is usually the first among siblings to become aware of an elderly parent’s need for assisted living. There may be more parental requests for help around the house, or a noticeable decline in home maintenance. Perhaps there is a health crisis. Whatever the cause, it may be a good time for the parent and all relevant family members to discuss developing a plan for meeting the senior’s medical and other needs.

What are typical buying issues for a 55+ client?2021-03-15T13:08:25-04:00

Having mixed emotions. Buying a residence as a senior can be both exciting and daunting. The excitement stems from anticipating new beginnings in a fresh environment. It’s daunting because there are so many types of 50+ residences, finite resources and sometimes emotional hurdles to overcome.

As a SRES® designee, I can sit down with you and your loved ones to discuss needs, outline options and help you determine the very best 55+ residence option for you. Then, working within the parameters you provide, we can locate a property that fits your needs.

As a SRES® designee, I can leverage my senior education, experience and network to find properties, determine appropriate offers, and negotiate purchases on your behalf.
When necessary, I can also tap into a network of experts, such as home inspectors, movers, attorneys, and CPAs, to ensure that the purchase of your new residence, and the move, proceed smoothly.

What are typical selling issues for a 55+ client?2021-03-15T13:17:05-04:00

Selling a home is rarely simple–and selling a senior’s home can add additional considerations and complexity. As a SRES®,, I can modify some aspects of their marketing efforts to meet the individual needs of senior homeowners. Here are the essential steps you can expect during the process:

  • Pricing considerations
  • Staging your home
  • Showing your home
  • Negotiating the sale and closing
  • Packing and moving

For families facing the task of packing and moving on their own, think about starting the process well in advance. Set small, achievable daily goals. Establish plans for tackling different rooms. Remember that packing can be emotionally taxing on everyone, so consider ways to break up the work and make it more enjoyable.

What is a SRES designee?2021-03-15T13:08:01-04:00

Your golden years bring lots of changes. When it’s time to make a change to your home, you’ll want a REALTOR® with the Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) designation by your side. From market trends to economic issues, your SRES® is specially qualified to address the real estate needs of adults ages 55+ and can empower you to make the best decisions for your future. As a certified SRES agent, I can help you in these needs.

55+ Articles

The Latest Trends in Housing [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights With the number of new listings going up and average days on market going down, buyers may have more options, but will still want to move fast. For sellers, inventory is still low and houses are selling fast, meaning your house should stand out and may get multiple offers if you price it right. [...]

Why Today’s Housing Supply Is a Sweet Spot for Sellers

Wondering if it still makes sense to sell your house right now? The short answer is, yes. And if you look at the current number of homes for sale, you’ll see two reasons why. An article from Calculated Risk shows there are 15.6% more homes for sale now compared [...]

Incorporating your Home Equity into your Retirement Strategy

Are you sitting on a lot of home equity and considering making a move to right size or acquiring another home? This episode is for you Listen in as I interview Mark Richards of  Fairway Independent Mortgage discusses possible ways to use your home equity [...]

It’s Time To Prepare Your House for a Spring Listing

  If you're thinking of selling your house this spring, now is the perfect time to start getting it ready. With the market gearing up for its busiest time of year, it'll be important to make sure your house shines bright among the competition. Here are some valuable tips [...]

What’s Really Happening with Mortgage Rates?

Are you feeling a bit unsure about what’s really happening with mortgage rates? That might be because you’ve heard someone say they’re coming down. But then you read somewhere else that they’re up again. And that may leave you scratching your head and wondering what’s true. [...]

Does right-sizing make sense if you are entering into your 60’s ?

There is a lot of fear about higher interest rates and a lack of inventory.  This short video will give you a new outlook on what your options are.   https://youtu.be/00_Yw_bE15I?si=su6wZE96_b0SzmnD Let’s connect to answer any questions that you might have and to explore your [...]

LOOKING TO PURCHASE? SEARCH NJ CURRENT LISTINGS AND OPEN HOUSES!

Go to Top