Realtor Question & Answers
Learn directly from top Realtors in the area. Here are several common questions about housing and seniors answered by local real estate experts
Dale Pearson, RE/MAX Boulder
1. What age is too late to buy a house!
I don’t think there’s a specific age for being “too late”! There are many at-home services available to seniors these days, including health care, so owning/buying a home isn’t necessarily age-dependent.
2. I plan to sell my home when I retire……what should I know/do know?
My advice is to keep up on the maintenance and needed repairs of your home so there’s less to do when the time comes to retire. Buyers will notice if a home has been well maintained and cared for, and the result will be a higher sales price!
3. Are there related services that you need to enlist to assist seniors with their transaction?
Often seniors have been in their homes for many years and accumulated a lot of personal items. Having access to a menu of estate sale services can be helpful in getting a home ready for the market and assisting with a move.
4. Where do you find most of your senior buyers come from?
I see many senior buyers coming from out of state and often times it’s to be closer to their adult children and grandchildren that live in the area.
5. What makes selling a senior’s home so different from your typical selling situation?
Not really that different, every transaction whether buying or selling takes experience and adjustments to fit the needs of your client or customer. Look for the National Association of Realtors SRES Designation “Seniors Real Estate Specialist” for those Realtors that have experience with providing real estate services to Seniors.
Diane Stow, Diane Stow Real Estate
1. What age is too late to buy a house!
It may be too late to purchase a home when the issues of home maintenance are too much for you to handle or afford without EXPECTING those items to be handled by loved ones, family or friends. Being able to be totally independent to either take care of these issues thoroughly or pay for the care of these issues is an important concern.
2. I plan to sell my home when I retire……what should I know/do know?
When I first read this question, I thought how soon are you retiring, and then I thought it doesn’t matter. Constant maintenance and upkeep of your home are VERY important. If you are unable to keep up with those issues and updating be prepared to sell at a below-average market price.
3. Are there related services that you need to enlist to assist seniors with their transactions?
There are several related services that are a part of my extended team that makes this process much simpler and reduce the stress of a move. I have wonderful people who are sensitive to the nature of seniors’ situations and will do everything possible to make their move a quick and seamless transaction in regard to all aspects.
4. Where do you find most of your senior buyers come from?
Many of my senior buyers are moving into the area to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Others are moving to downsize to a more manageable home that affords them less maintenance, safety, and still independence in their lifestyle.
5. What makes selling a senior’s home so different from your typical selling situation?
Being a senior, and I am one, does not entirely change the picture of moving. However, many of my seniors are single and the security of showings and the stress of showings is a bit elevated. It is my job to be sensitive to their particular needs and accommodate their individual situations to make them feel safe and heard.
Bill Allen, RE/MAX Alliance
1. What age is too late to buy a house!
It’s not so much about age but more about the buyer’s attitude towards the process and their threshold for disruption. Right now, it’s difficult to even find a house to buy due to the popularity of Colorado and Boulder County, many people are moving here from other parts of the country.
2. I plan to sell my home when I retire……what should I know/do know?
Selling your house when you retire is a common practice and often works well for folks whose property values have increased and they want to move to a house you like better or to finance a membership in a senior living community.
Being the seller has advantages because the seller can set the timing and has the ability to get the house ship-shape so it presents well, sells quicker for more money.
Also, we want to have an inspection done including radon, roofing, painting, and sewer line scope to prevent unwanted and unpleasant surprises.
3. Are there related services that you need to enlist to assist seniors with their transactions?
Related associated professional services are essential to ensure a smooth transfer process. These might include an experienced Realtor who enjoys working with seniors and who will have their fingertips in relationships with architects, structural engineers, inspectors, roofers sellers accountants other construction trades who can make repairs or remodeling if necessary.
4. Where do you find most of your senior buyers come from?
5. What makes selling a senior’s home so different from your typical selling situation?
Some Realtors don’t enjoy working with seniors because seniors require more patience and things often take longer with seniors, I know they do for me.