Aging in Place

“Living means aging and aging means living.” – Ashton Applewhite, author of This Chair Rocks

If you have a client who is selling a family home, buying rental property or moving into a senior-living community, here are some key takeaways from a recent REALTOR® University webinar on Aging-in-Place.

The National Aging in Place Council reports that in order to age in place successfully:

  1. You have to have a home that works for you
  2. You have to have access to medical
  3. You can afford to stay where you’re living
  4. You need access to transportation
  5. You need connection to a community

According to a 2015 Aging in Place Survey by HomeAdvisor.com, the most popular projects to help homeowners remain safe, independent and comfortable were grab bars, entrance ramps and larger doorways.

“The first line of defense to aging-in-place…is understanding how you get in and out (of a home), and then move through it when you go.” – Marianne Cusato, associate professor at University of Notre Dame’s School of Architecture and housing expert for HomeAdvisor.com

HomeAdvisor offers a free True Cost Guide which offers real cost data from real home projects in your area. The more your clients know about how much things should cost, the more confident they will be in deciding whether to remodel or relocate.

“Take it one step further and become a Senior Real Estate Specialist,” suggests Frank Dickens, ABR, CRMS, SRES. “You’ll learn how to work with legal professionals who provide families with estate planning and tax advice. And more importantly, you’ll find out how to advise all generations who need assistance with an aging adult, or older adults themselves who are upsizing, downsizing or purchasing a second home.”

More than 10,000 adults turn 65 every day. As a trusted REALTOR®, your job is to counsel everyone from Millennials to the Silent Generation. Be a voice for real estate.


2016 AAR President Paula ServenInterested in earning your SRES Designation? 2007 Arizona REALTORS® President Frank Dickens teaches a two-day class on October 20 and 21, 2016 at the West Maricopa Association of REALTORS®. Future continuing education classes may be found here.

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