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Baby boomers are quickly growing into the largest population of seniors we've seen in US history. They're retiring later than ever, and many are buying secondary homes in record numbers. Did you know there's a program of real estate education to help you tap-in to this growing senior population?
REALTORS® receive the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) designation after successfully completing a 12-hour training course entitled A Licensee's Guide to Working with Seniors. It is designed to help you work more effectively with senior buyers and sellers.
Here's a portion of what's covered in the course,
- Learn more about the Over 55 client niche, and how to service their special needs
- Information to help you develop and maintain your marketing skills
- Learn the differences between 'selling' and 'counseling' your clients
- Learn to work as a team with other senior professionals
- Gain a better understanding of tax laws, probate, and estate planning
- Learn how to counsel seniors who might be afraid of change
- Find out more about equity conversion strategies
- Improve your communication skills
- Learn to market yourself as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Classes are held throughout the United States, and in many areas they can be used to satisfy part of your state's requirements for continuing education. As of 11/1/00 the cost for the SRES® class was $399.
Graduates are listed within the Senior Advantage Real Estate Council search engine, with hot links to your own Web site if desired. The SAREC site contains a good deal of real estate information written especially for seniors, so it's an excellent place to be included. Traffic to the site is probably increasing each month now that the Wall Street Journal and other publications are talking about it.
You'll also receive referrals from the association's national 800 number. Other marketing materials are available, including audio tapes, sample farming letters, and quarterly newsletters for your clients.
There's no better way to begin learning more about working with the senior crowd. This designation will only grow in importance during the coming years, so it may be a good idea to get started now.