The Journal

Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) Designation

This week I successfully completed the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation course and was awarded the appropriate certification. I decided to complete the course to demonstrate a commitment to helping everyone, including people over the age of 50. As a seasoned financial planner and educator, I found the designation would be a perfect fit for my offerings in Laguna Woods.

Why a Senior Specialist?

Today’s definition of senior typically includes people over the age of 50, which is a very large portion of home owners and buyers.  My primary market includes Laguna Woods Village, which is an age restricted community.  Therefore it made total sense that would get the designation

What Did I Learn?

The subject matter is interesting, in particular the concept (strategy) of aging in place.  For the last decade I’ve seen my parents go through various stages of managing the activities of daily living and consequently their inability to age in place.  In response to their lack of preparation, I decided to make aging in place a priority.  That is why I was motivated to live in Laguna Woods Village. I wanted to find a way to age without losing my freedoms. I wanted to live somewhere with great facilities for maintaining fitness, for staying socially and mentally engaged, I wanted to be highly mobile late in life, and want to have access to entertainment and travel.

Half-Back Move

Another concept that intrigued me was that of “half-back”, which is when parents move closer to their children or other familiar community. The move to Laguna Woods Village brought me down from the Pacific Northwest and Bay Area in order to be near my siblings, cousins, nieces/nephew and parents. This is common among people who want to age in place.

Affordability and Growth Opportunities

The first house that I purchased was in the Bay Area and I loved it. When I returned a couple of decades later, I enjoyed it but I realized I could purchase a condo in Orange County and one in Seattle for the same prices as one house in the Bay Area. From my perspective, two houses would better prepare me for downsizing late in life. For example at age 85 or so, I could sell the condo in Seattle and enjoy the proceeds and still have a familiar home in which to live.

If you are interested in learning more about again in place, half-back moves, or living in Laguna Woods Village, please reach out.