Compassionate, experienced guidance for life's next chapter. Whether you're downsizing, helping aging parents, navigating an estate sale, or exploring senior living—I'm here to help you every step of the way.
The SRES® designation from the National Association of Realtors means I've completed specialized training to understand the unique needs of homebuyers and sellers aged 50+. It's not just a certification—it's a commitment.
Any agent can sell a house. But can any agent understand the emotional weight of selling the home where you raised your children, celebrated 40 holidays, and built a lifetime of memories?
Senior real estate transitions are fundamentally different from typical transactions. They involve complex emotions, multi-generational family dynamics, potential health considerations, and financial decisions that affect retirement security. The SRES® designation ensures your agent is trained in all of these areas.
Understanding the grief, nostalgia, and anxiety that come with leaving a family home—and how to support you through it
The full spectrum: 55+ communities, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and aging-in-place modifications
Reverse mortgages, tax implications, Medicare impacts, pension considerations, and how home sales affect retirement income
Navigating probate real estate, estate sales, inherited properties, and multi-heir family situations
| Capability | SRES® Agent | Regular Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Buy & sell real estate | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse mortgage knowledge | ✓ Trained | Varies |
| Estate & probate experience | ✓ Specialized | Varies |
| Senior service network | ✓ Established | Varies |
| Emotional transition training | ✓ Certified | — |
| Patient, no-pressure approach | ✓ Core principle | Varies |
| Multi-generational communication | ✓ Trained | — |
| Senior housing options expertise | ✓ Specialized | Varies |
| Insurance risk assessment | ✓ 10+ years exp. | — |
✓ = Trained/Specialized — = Not typically offered
Downsizing isn't about giving up—it's about gaining freedom. Whether you're an empty nester, retiree, or simply ready for a simpler lifestyle, here's everything you need to know.
Lower mortgage, reduced property taxes, lower utilities, and less maintenance. Free up equity for retirement and travel.
No more weekend yard work, gutter cleaning, or maintaining rooms you never use. Spend time on what you love.
Less stuff means less stress. A smaller, organized space is easier to keep clean and more peaceful.
Single-level living, wider doorways, and easier-to-navigate spaces. Plan ahead for changing physical needs.
Lock the door and go. A smaller home is easier to leave for extended trips, visiting grandchildren, or adventures.
Move closer to family, healthcare, or a walkable community. Your smaller budget may open up neighborhoods you couldn't afford before.
The heart of downsizing. Use this system room by room to make decisions easier and keep making progress.
Items you use regularly, truly love, and will have room for in your new home
Good condition items someone else can use. Schedule regular donation pickups
Valuable items worth selling through estate sales, consignment, or online
Broken, worn out, or items no one would want. Recycle what you can
A thoughtful approach that respects your timeline and emotional needs. Most transitions take 3–12 months, and we move at your pace—never faster.
We meet at your home or virtually for a no-pressure conversation about your situation, goals, and concerns. I listen first, advise second.
Create your personalized downsizing timeline and start exploring where you'd like to live next.
The hands-on work of sorting belongings and getting your home ready for sale.
Strategic marketing and stress-free showings to get you the best price.
Whether you're buying a condo, renting in a 55+ community, or moving to assisted living, I help coordinate the search.
Coordinated closing and a smooth transition into your new home.
My support doesn't end at closing. I check in to make sure you're settled and happy.
From active adult communities to full-service care, the Des Moines metro offers a wide range of senior housing. Here's what to know about each option.
Maintenance-free living in a community of peers. Enjoy clubhouses, social activities, fitness centers, and landscaped grounds without the burden of home upkeep.
Apartment-style living with optional services like meals, housekeeping, and transportation. Perfect for active seniors who want convenience without home ownership responsibilities.
Personal care support while maintaining independence and dignity. Staff helps with daily activities like bathing, medications, and meals while residents enjoy private living spaces.
Not ready for community living? Many seniors downsize to a smaller single-family home in a great neighborhood—closer to family, easier to maintain, and more accessible.
Walkable urban living with restaurants, cultural venues, and healthcare nearby. Low-maintenance condo life is increasingly popular with active retirees in the Des Moines metro.
Campus-style communities that offer a full spectrum of care levels—from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing—all in one location. Move once, transition care as needed.
For families exploring assisted living, memory care, or independent living communities, I've partnered with Golden Concierge—Des Moines' trusted senior living placement specialists. They provide free, personalized guidance to find the right care community for your loved one.
If you're an adult child trying to help aging parents sell their Des Moines home—especially from out of state—I understand your unique challenges. Distance doesn't have to mean disconnection.
Talk with your parents about their wishes, concerns, and timeline. Listen more than you speak. This is their home and their decision.
Evaluate safety concerns, maintenance needs, financial considerations, and care requirements. Schedule a free consultation to discuss.
Determine if power of attorney is needed. Review the deed for ownership details. For probate situations, consult an Iowa estate attorney.
Decide who gets family heirlooms. Arrange an estate sale for remaining items. Digitize photos and documents.
I handle everything on the ground—repairs, staging, showings, negotiations—keeping you informed every step of the way.
Whether your parent is moving to senior living, moving in with family, or downsizing locally, I coordinate the entire transition.
I work with families from California to Florida helping their Des Moines parents transition. Here's how I bridge the distance:
Walk through properties via FaceTime or Zoom so you can see everything in real time
Sign contracts and closing documents electronically from anywhere. Iowa supports remote online notarization
Regular video calls and reports so everyone stays informed throughout the process
I manage contractors, estate sale companies, movers, and every vendor on your behalf
"I live in California but needed to help my mom sell her Des Moines home. Sarah was my eyes and ears on the ground—sending videos, coordinating repairs, and keeping me informed every step of the way."
— David L., Adult Child (Out-of-State)
When a family home needs to be sold due to an estate, probate, or inherited property situation, the process involves unique emotional and legal complexities. I guide families through every step.
I connect you with vetted Des Moines estate sale companies who handle belongings with care and maximize the value of your loved one's possessions.
Navigating Iowa probate requires specific knowledge. I work alongside estate attorneys to ensure the property sale meets all legal requirements. Learn about probate real estate →
Many estate properties need work before listing. I coordinate cleanouts, repairs, and staging—especially important when family members are out of state.
Recently inherited a Des Moines area home? I help heirs navigate decisions from keeping to selling.
Multiple siblings inheriting? I facilitate fair, transparent communication and decision-making.
Selling after loss requires special sensitivity. I move at your pace with compassion and patience.
When a parent moves to assisted living or memory care, the home sale often funds that care.
The kids are grown, the bedrooms are empty, and you're heating 2,500 square feet for two people. If you're wondering whether it's time to right-size your life, you're not alone.
Empty nesting isn't a loss—it's an opportunity. You've spent decades in a home built around raising a family. Now you have the freedom to choose a home built around you: your hobbies, your travel plans, your social life, your comfort.
Many of my clients tell me they wish they'd made the move sooner. Once they're in a right-sized home—whether that's a 55+ community, a downtown condo, or a smaller home in Clive or Urbandale—they rediscover energy they didn't know they had.
Less cleaning, less mowing, less maintaining. Use that time for what matters.
Unlock home equity, lower property taxes, and reduce monthly expenses. Use the Retirement Budget Calculator.
Travel without worrying about the house. Lock the door and go explore.
Community living means built-in neighbors, social events, and new friendships.
Des Moines metro communities where seniors and empty nesters are thriving:
I've built a network of Des Moines professionals who share my commitment to compassionate, quality service for seniors and their families.
Free senior living placement services. They help families find the right assisted living, memory care, or independent living community.
Vetted professionals who handle estate sales with care, maximizing value while respecting your family's belongings.
Movers who specialize in senior relocations—patient, careful, and experienced with delicate items and downsizing moves.
Professional organizers who help plan, coordinate, and manage every detail of the physical move from start to finish.
Iowa attorneys specializing in estate planning, probate, power of attorney, and elder law to protect your family's interests.
Retirement planning specialists who understand how a home sale impacts Social Security, Medicare, taxes, and retirement income.
Stories from seniors and families I've had the honor to help through their transitions.
After 42 years in our family home, the thought of selling was overwhelming. Sarah understood the emotional weight and never rushed us. She helped us find a wonderful 55+ community where we're now thriving.
I live in California but needed to help my mom sell her Des Moines home. Sarah was my eyes and ears on the ground—sending videos, coordinating repairs, and keeping me informed every step of the way.
Sarah's SRES training really showed. She knew exactly what questions to ask, connected us with an estate sale company, and made the whole process so much less stressful than we expected.
We weren't sure if we were ready to sell, but Sarah encouraged us to just have a conversation. No pressure—just information. When we were ready six months later, we knew exactly who to call.
Answers to the questions I hear most from seniors and their families in the Des Moines metro area.
Whether you're ready to move next month or just starting to think about it, I'd love to have a conversation. No pressure, no sales pitch—just compassionate, expert guidance from an SRES® specialist who cares.