55+ Resources

55+ Resources2021-05-04T10:47:30-04:00

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Glossery

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

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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

Mar16, 2024

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. [...]

Feb28, 2024

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 [...]

Feb21, 2024

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 [...]

Feb19, 2024

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 [...]

Feb12, 2024

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. [...]

Feb08, 2024

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 [...]

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