by Ben Keal on February 25, 2025
When people approach retirement, they may want to downsize and live a maintenance-free lifestyle in a community with others in a similar phase of life. If you find yourself eyeing active adult communities for those fifty-five and older as part of your future, you’ll probably want to work with a real estate agent who understands your needs and concerns.
Before making a decision, meet with several agents. Ask them about their experience working with seniors and whether they are certified as Senior Real Estate Specialists (SRES).
What Is an SRES?
Real estate agents with an SRES designation have completed coursework that prepares them to counsel clients who are at retirement age. They understand the concerns of seniors and how to plan for buying property in fifty-five-and-older communities. They are uniquely educated on guiding older clients through relocating, refinancing, selling their family home, downsizing/rightsizing, moving, and other financial and lifestyle changes.
SRES agents are also well-versed in the nuances of reverse mortgages, retiree budget constraints, relevant federal regulations (e.g., the Housing for Older Persons Act), and how to use pensions and retirement accounts to qualify for and finance a purchase or rental in a planned community.
Leaving a family home can be very difficult and emotional for seniors. SRES agents should also be empathetic, patient, respectful, and able to communicate with older adults who prefer phone calls or in-person meetings.
Evaluating Senior-Friendly Agents
There are many great real estate agents you can work with when moving. Some may have completed their SRES coursework, while others may not. Most importantly, you want to find someone you trust, someone you are comfortable working with, and someone who has experience providing fifty-five-and-older real estate services.
Don’t just take an agent's word when they say they are senior-friendly professionals. Ask them how many older adults they’ve worked with. What advice do they have for seniors buying or selling a home? Are these recommendations different from what they give middle-aged clients? How should you compare active adult communities? How can you know if you’re truly ready for a move and if an active adult community is a good fit?
Agents experienced with senior needs should be able to educate their clients on the pros and cons of different communities. They should also be able to guide them in a low-pressure manner through their options based on their interests and resources.
Finding the Right Agent
You don’t have to work with the first agent you talk to. In fact, it’s better to speak with a few before committing to one agent. Get details about their experience with seniors, ask for recommendations, and take time to consider your options. Don’t feel pressured to decide immediately after meeting an agent; it’s a good practice to take any listing or agent agreement home and review it carefully before signing.
You can search for communities that meet your criteria on the Private Communities portal. The master-planned communities you’ll find on our platform often have dedicated real estate agents, and these agents will know the ins and outs of each site and be able to answer any questions you may have!
About the Author
Since 2012, Ben Keal has led PCR solidifying PrivateCommunities.com as a top source in helping prospective buyers find their ideal lifestyle community. With decades of experience in both sales and real estate, he has built lasting relationships with the country's top developers, homebuilders, country clubs, and real estate agents. A licensed real estate broker, Ben also serves as the Managing Broker for Private Communities Realty, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Private Communities Registry, LLC)—further ensuring PCR's mission to uphold the company's reputation as a responsible and trusted broker for real estate shoppers interested in amenity-rich, master-planned lifestyle communities.
