My SRES “WHY”

What’s my “why”?

My good friend Abbey once asked me why I got into real estate. For me it was a natural – I love making it easier for people make a move and find the right space for them. Seeing the possibilities in a house and how people transform four walls into “home” is a real privilege. I worked in retail buying and wholesale selling and bought and sold my own condos and homes with the help of really talented Realtors, so I had a good vantage point and great examples. After years of traveling for work and plugging away in an office, it was a benefit and a blessing to work remotely and be able to spend more time with family, specifically my favorite nonagenarians – my mom and dad!

A couple of years ago during a subzero stretch in January that had me and the rest of Wisconsin housebound, I decided I should make good use of my time and looked into an online course. The SRES (Senior Resource Specialist) designation jumped off the page. That additional training could really help me help people that I identified with – that “sandwich generation” of Boomers and Gen-Xers who are caring for or advising older relatives while in many cases, being the support system for younger generations.

And I had newfound first-hand experience as someone in need of the guidance and understanding that a SRES can offer.

Up until 2016, my parents had been living independently in their home of 40+ years. When my dad started to have some mobility issues, my brother and sister-in-law and I explored some independent and assisted living places. They weren’t ready (emotionally) to make the move, so we added grab bars and safety-proofed the house and did our best to spend more time with them and make certain their environment was safe. Sadly, my dear dad suffered a stroke and passed away that spring.

My mom was adamant about staying in her home, and I spent more nights there and her wonderful neighbors and friends provided companionship and security while she lived alone for the first time…ever. My brother did an amazing job of caring for the house and yard and his wife was wonderful about getting mom to appointments and family gatherings when I was tied up. Unfortunately, Mom got sick and passed away just before her 92nd birthday about 18 months after my dad.

As sad a time as it was, there were some positives. Clearing out the house was not too overwhelming (my mom had us all put our names on pieces that we wanted throughout the years) and it honestly ended up being quality time spent together with siblings and grandkids and even great-grandkids. Sharing memories and funny stories of the 47 years in that house was cathartic. We appreciated each other’s strengths – whether it was marketing and selling the home (moi), executing an estate sale (my rock-star sister-in-law Cindy and nieces Allie and Aimee), or making repairs to the house (my awesome brother Bill) – and it helped with the grief just knowing we were all feeling the same things.  Our teamwork paid off with a speedy sale of the house to a neighbor for price that made everyone happy!

If I am able to share resources, help families learn their options without pressure, and provide understanding and support, I feel as though I can make this process a little less daunting.

That is “why” I am a Senior Resource Specialist and just one of the important reasons I love being a Realtor!

Slainte!

Moira