Real Estate Services

Selling a longtime home is different

For many seniors, selling a home means parting with the place they raised a family and built decades of memories — often while managing a move to a smaller home, an assisted living community, or closer to family. A real estate agent who specializes in working with seniors understands both the financial side of the transaction and the emotional weight behind it.

What is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist?

A Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) is a real estate agent who has completed additional training on the unique needs of clients aged 50 and older. They understand the financial and lifestyle issues involved in later-life moves and can guide clients through decisions around housing options, timing, and how a home sale fits into a broader retirement or care plan.

How do senior specialists help with a sale?

• Timing and planning — Advising on when to list, and coordinating the sale with a move to a new residence or community.
• Pricing and preparation — Recommending repairs or updates worth making — and which to skip — to get the best return without unnecessary cost or disruption.
• Downsizing coordination — Connecting clients with senior move managers, estate sale companies, and other professionals who help sort, donate, and relocate belongings.
• Family communication — Keeping adult children and other family members informed and involved when they're helping coordinate the move.
• Financial considerations — Explaining how proceeds from a sale may affect retirement income, taxes, or eligibility for benefits, and referring clients to a financial planner or elder law attorney when needed.

Buying or transitioning to a new home

Real estate specialists don't only help with selling — they also assist seniors who are purchasing a smaller home, a condo, or a unit in an age-restricted or 55+ community. They can evaluate properties for accessibility features like single-floor living, wide doorways, and low-maintenance yards, and help weigh the tradeoffs between buying again versus renting or moving into a senior living community.

How to find a senior-focused real estate agent in Michigan

The Seniors Real Estate Specialists directory lets you search for designated agents in your area. You can also ask a senior move manager, elder law attorney, or financial planner for a referral — professionals who work with seniors regularly tend to know which agents handle these transitions well.

As with any real estate transaction, agents are typically compensated through a commission paid out of the proceeds of the sale, so there's usually no upfront cost to get guidance and list a home.