Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® · Fathom Realty
If you're helping a parent downsize in the Des Moines metro, you've probably heard both terms: senior move manager and senior real estate specialist. They sound similar but they do completely different jobs, and most successful downsizing projects use both.
A Seniors Real Estate Specialist is a REALTOR® with advanced training from the National Association of REALTORS® on working with clients age 50+. The SRES® is the person who:
Fewer than 5% of REALTORS® hold the SRES® designation. As Sarah Ingles — a Des Moines SRES® who is also CPCU-certified for property insurance — I'm typically involved 6 to 18 months before the actual move date.
A senior move manager is a specialist in the physical and emotional logistics of downsizing. They are members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM). They handle:
Senior move managers typically charge by the hour or by the project. For a typical Des Moines metro downsizing project, expect $2,500 to $7,500 depending on the size of the existing home and the complexity of the right-sizing.
On most of my downsizing projects, the work flows like this:
1. Month -12 to -6: SRES® consultation, tour 55+ communities, identify destination 2. Month -6 to -3: Senior move manager comes in, starts the right-sizing process 3. Month -3 to -1: SRES® preps the existing home for listing while the move manager continues right-sizing 4. Month -1 to 0: List, sell, simultaneous-close, move 5. Day 0 to +1: Senior move manager sets up the new space
This division of labor lets the family focus on the emotional decisions (what to keep, where to live) while the professionals handle the logistics.
When hiring a senior move manager, make sure they are:
When hiring a senior REALTOR®, make sure they are:
Q: Do I need both a senior move manager and a REALTOR®? A: For most Des Moines downsizing projects, yes. The two professionals do completely different jobs and the project goes much more smoothly with both. Smaller estates with simpler logistics can sometimes get by with just an SRES®.
Q: What is the difference between a senior move manager and an estate sale company? A: A senior move manager handles the entire downsizing process; an estate sale company comes in once and runs a sale of the items the family is releasing. Senior move managers usually coordinate with an estate sale company as part of the project.
Q: Can a regular REALTOR® help with senior downsizing? A: A regular REALTOR® can list and sell the home, but most don't have training in the unique issues seniors face — reverse mortgages, Iowa Medicaid asset transfer rules, the emotional dimension of leaving a long-term home, or coordinating with adult children. The SRES® designation exists specifically because most agents are not trained for this work.
Q: How much does senior downsizing cost in total? A: For a typical Des Moines metro project: senior move manager $2,500-$7,500, REALTOR® commission 5-6% of sale price (paid at closing), and minor prep costs. The senior tax credits and the equity from the existing home usually cover all of this with significant cash left over for the next chapter.
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