Selling a longtime home can be very different from a typical real estate transaction.

For many older adults, a home represents decades of memories, family milestones, routines, belongings, and connection. Deciding to sell may also be tied to much bigger questions: Where will I live next? What do I do with everything I own? When should I move? What needs to be done to the house before it goes on the market?

That is why choosing the right real estate professional matters.

You may have heard of a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) and wondered whether you need one to sell your home.

The short answer is no—you are not required to work with an SRES®. But working with a REALTOR® who has experience with later-life transitions can make a meaningful difference.

What Is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist®?

A Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) is a REALTOR® who has completed specialized education focused on the needs of clients age 50 and older.

The SRES® designation includes education around housing transitions, retirement, relocation, financial considerations, and the lifestyle changes that can accompany real estate decisions later in life.

That specialized knowledge can be valuable. But the designation itself should not be the only thing you consider when choosing someone to represent you.

Look Beyond the Designation

Selling a longtime home isn't only about determining a price, putting a sign in the yard, and accepting an offer.

The timing of the sale may need to coordinate with a move, a senior living transition, a purchase or rental, family members in another state, or the process of sorting through decades of belongings.

Sometimes the best decision is to sell quickly. Other times, getting settled somewhere new before putting the longtime home on the market can make the transition much easier.

Sequence matters.

An experienced real estate professional should be willing to understand the bigger picture before deciding what needs to happen with the house.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a REALTOR®

Whether or not the REALTOR® you're considering has an SRES® designation, ask about their actual experience helping older adults and families through later-life moves.

Consider questions such as:

• How often do you work with older adults selling longtime homes?
• How would you help me determine the right timing for my sale?
• Do I need to make repairs or updates before listing?
• What happens if I want to move before putting my home on the market?
• Can you help coordinate with family members or other professionals involved in my transition?
• Do you have trusted resources for rightsizing, moving, estate sales, clean-outs, legal needs, financial planning, or other services?
• How will you communicate with me throughout the process?

And just as importantly: Do you feel heard?

The right professional should take the time to understand your goals, your timeline, your preferred way of communicating, and what matters most to you.

Your Home Sale May Not Be the First Step

One of the biggest misconceptions we see is that once someone begins thinking about moving, the first step is to put the house on the market.

It doesn't always have to happen that way.

Before selling, you may need to explore where you want to live, understand your financial options, sort and rightsize your belongings, identify the right moving support, or simply create a plan that feels manageable.

At Dovetail Companies, we often encourage families to look at the whole transition first and the real estate transaction within it.

Our Seniors Real Estate Specialists® help older adults and their families determine the right timing and approach for selling a longtime home while coordinating with the other professionals who may be part of the transition.

Because ultimately, choosing a REALTOR® isn't simply about finding someone who can sell your house.

It's about finding someone who understands where you're going next—and can help make the path from here to there a little easier.

Navigating a Later-Life Transition?

At Dovetail Companies, we help older adults and their families navigate the decisions that come with planning, rightsizing, moving, and selling a longtime home. Our approach brings Calm · Clarity · Connection™ to the process—helping you understand your options, determine the right next steps, and connect with trusted professionals when additional support is needed.

Whether you're planning ahead or already facing a transition, you don't have to figure out every piece at once.

Dovetail Companies
617-227-1600
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