Brad Eaton from HomeSmart Realty Group is one of our trusted Oregon real estate advisors. Selling your home as a senior can be fraught with worry, but Brad and his team have garnered a reputation for personalized care and tailor-made approaches to selling homes, aligning with clients’ preferences. We sat down with Brad to delve into the challenges that seniors often encounter during the home-selling process, drawing from his firsthand experience working with Oregon seniors in transition.

Selling Your Home: Navigating the Senior Experience

Transitioning to a new home evokes a mix of emotions, unique to each individual’s journey. A significant 39% of homebuyers in 2019 consisted of seniors, a demographic keen on finding a more manageable living arrangement that enables retirement freedom. Amid these aspirations, crucial decisions and potential stresses arise. Brad, with his wealth of insights, is at the forefront of this realm, engaging daily with seniors navigating this transformative process.

Brad, in the news and from our interactions with seniors, we often hear about concerns regarding scams and fraud. How do you advise seniors to safeguard against scams during the home-selling process?

This is a concern frequently voiced by seniors, and rightfully so. In fact, it’s a concern we all share. I’m fortunate to have two living grandparents, and our conversations often touch upon their fears and the sense of isolation that sometimes accompanies their stage of life. Scammers exploit these vulnerabilities, weaving intricate webs of deception. Recognizing this, we act as guides and coaches throughout the real estate journey. We strongly advise clients not to permit anyone into their homes without contacting us first, and to consult us before divulging sensitive information, answering queries, or transferring money in any transaction. Establishing a network of dependable professionals, readily available via a phone call, is another protective measure. Our team comprises experts in various domains such as marketing, videography, photography, contracts, negotiations, digital marketing, social media, and event planning. With our experts in their corner, clients feel less isolated and more at ease, safe from potential scams and pitfalls.

Seniors often worry that the home-selling process might overwhelm them. How do you alleviate this concern for your senior clients?

Our approach is proactive, preempting their needs before they arise, ensuring that clients never feel uncertain or overwhelmed. We’ve successfully sold numerous homes for seniors, and our extended network of professionals assists us in all aspects of a sale. Our assistance extends beyond the sale itself; we can aid with cleaning, packing, moving, home repairs, and more. Collaborating with a circle of astute business minds empowers us to always have an expert in our corner, benefiting both us and our clients. While we pride ourselves as experts in our field, we recognize our limits and use strategic partnerships to ensure the process remains seamless. To minimize interruptions to their lifestyle, we’ve addressed a common issue among seniors: the demanding property showing schedule. By producing professional video tours of their homes and sharing these with interested parties, we reduce unnecessary showings and prevent tire-kickers.

Additionally, open houses offer another solution. One open house can efficiently showcase the home to 20-50 potential buyers, streamlining the process compared to multiple individual showings.

How do you ensure your senior clients receive a personalized touch?

Each client holds a special place in our hearts, and we honor their uniqueness. We recognize that everyone has distinct needs, so our strategic marketing plans are tailored to each client’s individual goals within the competitive Portland Metropolitan market. Our approach is adaptable to the client’s comfort level. Some seniors are tech-savvy and comfortable with digital interactions, allowing us to share property previews, send emails, and sign documents digitally. Others prefer in-person interactions due to technological barriers, and we accommodate them by conducting in-person meetings, showcasing homes, and assisting with paperwork. Our dedication to a client-focused experience knows no bounds.

Balancing the need for technology in the home sale process with seniors’ potential unfamiliarity with technology can be challenging. How do you address this concern?

The rapid evolution of technology and society poses a challenge for seniors to keep pace with developments that might not directly affect their daily lives. Recognizing this, we make it our mission to remain at the forefront of technological advances in real estate. While seniors might not be well-versed in technological nuances, we ensure we are. Our technology arsenal, training, and practices are continually updated to reflect the latest trends in home sales. We embrace advanced techniques such as commercial drone technology, professional photography, and digital marketing to enhance the visibility of homes. Our clients trust us as experts, and we consistently deliver exceptional results. A recent client, John from Northeast Portland, praised our team’s hands-on approach: “Brad and his whole team were over and above anything we ever expected. They literally took our hands, and we didn’t have to worry about anything.” This personalized touch forms the cornerstone of our service.

What other factors should seniors consider when selling their homes?

We recognize that seniors may encounter various real estate agents, some of whom might be acquaintances or even family members. The pivotal question to ask is who possesses a proven track record that can ensure a sale for the highest value. It’s essential to bear in mind that the average real estate agent handles a mere 4-6 transactions annually for their clients. To attain exceptional results, partnering with a high-performing agent is crucial. During interviews with potential agents, ask these pertinent questions to help make a more informed decision:

1. What is your transaction volume in the last 12 months, excluding team transactions?
2. Could you outline your unique marketing plan for our property beyond MLS listing?
3. How can you assist us in preparing our property for listing?
4. What’s your success rate with open houses?
5. What approach do you use to determine the listing price of our home?
6. Can you share instances where repairs should or shouldn’t have been addressed before listing? Why?
7. When evaluating multiple offers, what key factors should we consider?
8. Could you describe a recent transaction experience and the challenges you overcame?
9. Please share a senior client success story involving the sale of a cherished home.

Selling Your Home as a Senior in Portland, Oregon

With a strong presence in the Portland, Oregon area, our track record speaks volumes. George from King City, Oregon, shared his experience: “Brad Eaton and his team went above and beyond all expectations both in the sale of my old property and the purchase of my new home.” We even went the extra mile, assisting George with his move. Our commitment to exceeding expectations is unwavering. You can learn more about Brad and his team on their website at https://bradleyeaton.exprealty.com/