Big Island

How a Seniors Real Estate Specialist Designation Helps Retirees

Real estate agents and brokers undergo a lot of training in order to best serve their clients. In fact, we have to undergo continuing education in order to maintain our real estate licenses. But additional Realtor training and certifications are optional and vary by agent and broker.

I recently received my SRES designation from the National Association Realtors. SRES stands for Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®). It’s specifically for Realtors who want to be able to meet the special needs of maturing homebuyers when selling, buying, relocating, or refinancing residential or investment properties. Learn about SRES – Benefits for Consumers here.

couplebanner_horizontalView from Lanai

Hawaii is a great place to live for a change of pace!

Baby Boomers, We’ve Been Expecting You

This differs from other designations, such as Seller’s Representative Specialist (SRS) in that the emphasis is entirely on homebuyers who are 50 years or older. A great many Baby Boomers move to Hawaii, and the Big Island in particular, to retire. 

Several of the clients who approach me and my business partner, Beverly Molfino, come to us with a two to five year retirement plan already in place. Sometimes they’re looking to move right away; sometimes they’re looking to purchase a property now, with the intent of moving to Hawaii in a year or two.

These experienced homebuyers are drawn by the temperate climate, the natural beauty of the land, the slower pace of living, relatively inexpensive real estate, and a bevy of outdoor and cultural activities.

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Hawaii Life is Natural Beauty and Offers a Change of Pace

Resort Condos Offer Accommodated Living in Paradise!

Yet, retirees have very different needs and search criteria than those of first-time homebuyers. Some Hawaii homebuyers are looking to downsize and want a condo where all the amenities are included and they don’t have to worry about maintenance issues.

On Hawai’i Island, most of the comfortable condo living is along the Kohala Coast, here are links to a variety of choices:

 
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Mauna Lani Resort – Home of Rich Hawaiian Culture and Comfortable Condo Living

Prefer Open Space and Privacy in Your Retirement?

Hawai’i Island is diverse and offers all sorts of choices! Others are looking for oceanfront estates to serve as generational properties where loved ones can gather for holidays over the years, friends can visit, and the property can be handed down to children or grandchildren.

This luxury home along the Hamakua Coast is a wonderful example with 2 homes on over an acre of land. Indeed, there are several excellent opportunities to purchase a variety of retirement properties along the Hamakua Coast, in Waimea, and North Kohala, where I live and specialize.

Horses at Kahua Ranch

Happy horses grazing the lush green grass of the Kohala Mountains

I Love My Hawai’i Life!

This year marks my tenth anniversary as a licensed real estate agent (my fifth year with Hawaii Life!) and I’m excited to achieve the SRES designation. It enables me to assist my clients with the best options and information in order for them to make important home-buying decisions and lifestyle changes. If you’re considering retiring to Hawaii and looking for Big Island properties for sale, I’ll help you find the property right for your Hawaii Life!

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Beth Thoma Robinson

October 23, 2015

Julie, this is great! Did you know that the Halii Kai ground floor units are required to be accessible, so that’s an “aging in place” plus? I also like Kolea as both six-plex and twelve-plex buildings have elevators…

Beth Thoma Robinson

October 23, 2015

Julie, this is great! Did you know that the Halii Kai ground floor units are required to be accessible, so that’s an “aging in place” plus? I also like Kolea as both six-plex and twelve-plex buildings have elevators…

Julie Keller, RS

October 23, 2015

Thank you Beth, I appreciate your input! Halii Kai and Kolea are wonderful retirement locations without a doubt!

Julie Keller, RS

October 23, 2015

Thank you Beth, I appreciate your input! Halii Kai and Kolea are wonderful retirement locations without a doubt!

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