Trusted Network
Barbara McKee
Coldwell Banker Realty (Greenwich)
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Senior Real Estate Agents
Agents who specialize in senior transitions — selling a family home, right-sizing, or finding a property better suited to aging in place.
Also known as: SRES agents, Senior real estate specialists, Elder transition realtors, Senior downsizing agents
Who this is for
Is this what you're looking for?
Here are a few situations where families turn to this kind of help.
It's time to sell the family home and the process feels overwhelming
Your parents are ready to sell but decades of belongings, an emotional attachment to the house, and a timeline tied to their care situation make a standard listing feel impossible.
The move to a care community means the house needs to go
Your mom is transitioning to assisted living and the home needs to be sold. You need an agent who understands the time pressure and won't treat it like a routine transaction.
Your parent wants to stay in the area but needs a better-suited home
Your dad wants to age in place but the current house — too many stairs, too much maintenance — isn't working. You want help finding something accessible without leaving the neighborhood he loves.
There are many more situations where this kind of support makes sense. If you're not sure whether it's the right fit, searching is a good first step.
What to expect
What working with a senior real estate specialist looks like
5–6%
typical commission
SRES
credential to seek
Flexible
on your timeline
Local
market knowledge
Real estate agents with senior specialization understand that selling a family home later in life is emotionally, logistically, and financially different from a standard transaction. A good agent works around your care timeline, coordinates with move managers and estate sale companies, and brings local market knowledge that maximizes the home's value. The SRES designation — Senior Real Estate Specialist — indicates training specific to older adult clients.
How tendercare vets
How tendercare vets these providers
Every provider in tendercare's Trusted Network completes a six-point vetting process — background checks, license and insurance verification, client references, and expert review. Membership is never sold; it's earned.
Never pay-to-play. Membership is earned.
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Senior Real Estate Agents near you
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Frequently asked questions
What families ask
SRES stands for Senior Real Estate Specialist — a designation from the National Association of Realtors indicating specific training in the needs and circumstances of older adult clients. SRES agents understand the financial complexities of downsizing, the emotional weight of selling a family home, and how real estate decisions connect to care planning. It's a useful baseline credential, though local experience matters as much as the designation.
Real estate agents are typically paid on commission — about 5 to 6% of the sale price, split between buyer and seller agents. There's no upfront cost to the seller; the commission is paid from the proceeds at closing. Some agents offer reduced commissions for certain situations — it's worth asking.
In most cases, waiting until after the move is settled reduces pressure and leads to better decisions about pricing and timing. The exception is when sale proceeds are needed to fund care — in that case, starting the process before the move is necessary. A financial advisor can help you work out which situation you're in before you commit to a timeline.
The timeline depends on the local market, the condition of the home, and any preparation needed before listing. In a strong market, a well-prepared home can sell in weeks. Senior transitions often require additional prep time — decluttering, repairs, and staging — before listing. A senior-specialist agent will give you a realistic timeline and help prioritize what prep work actually affects sale price.
Most senior-specialist agents have working relationships with senior move managers and estate sale companies. They can refer you to trusted local partners who handle the contents while the agent handles the sale. Coordinating these two processes — the contents and the transaction — well in advance significantly reduces stress and often improves the final sale outcome.
Ask your agent for a written comparative market analysis (CMA) showing recent sales of similar homes in the area. Review the comparable properties — are they actually similar in size, condition, and location? In a senior transition, there can be pressure to price low for a quick sale. A good agent will show you the trade-off between speed and price and let you decide.
Potentially. If your parent has lived in the home for at least two of the last five years, up to $250,000 of capital gains ($500,000 for a married couple) may be excluded from taxes. If the home has appreciated significantly beyond those thresholds, or if there are estate planning considerations, talk to a financial advisor or elder law attorney before listing. Don't assume the tax situation is simple.
Your agent should help you prioritize. As a rule, repairs and updates that address structural issues or major cosmetic problems tend to pay off; discretionary upgrades (new kitchen, bathroom remodel) rarely recoup their cost in a senior transition context where speed also matters. Deep cleaning, decluttering, and fresh paint are almost always worth the investment. Get your agent's input before spending anything.
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