Serve the Growing Population of 55-Plus Home Buyers

RISMEDIA, Oct. 30, 2007-An estimated 10,000 Americans celebrate their 60th birthday every single day, and these active, business-savvy baby boomers comprise the largest and wealthiest buyer’s group in the country. The Chicago Association of Realtors has heard, and answered, the call for Realtors to accommodate the specialized real estate needs of these 78 million Americans.

The Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation course, offered through the REALTORS® Real Estate School in Chicago, teaches REALTORS® to understand what motivates their “55-plus” (55 and over) real estate clients, who are anything but your average grandparents, and how to best serve them in any real estate transaction.

“The Senior Real Estate Specialist course challenges the stereotypes that the public has about the 55-plus population, their housing needs, and demographic trends,” said Virginia “Ginger” Downs, CEO of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®. “Understanding the specific concerns of this growing population enables Realtors to ensure a more satisfying transaction for their clients.”

In addition to distinguishing the characteristics and trends of the 55-plus demographic, the SRES designation course covers the use of pensions, 401k accounts, and IRAs in real estate transactions; creating senior-friendly Web sites; understanding specific factors involved in community and property selection; and how existing homes can be adapted for safety and comfort in aging.

“The SRES® designation is a commitment that a Realtor makes to serve their 55-plus clients with unparalleled expertise and knowledge,” Downs said. “This course is one of many available to help Chicago’s 17,000 Realtors advance their education and serve their clients with the highest possible degree of customer service and care.”

For more information, visit www.ChicagoREALTOR.com.