The last two days I’ve been sitting in classes to obtain my SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) designation. I posted on this blog a while ago that I was pursuing additional training offered by the National Association of REALTORS® to 
assist seniors and boomers when buying or selling Portland real estate.
Even though I’ve always helped seniors and boomers throughout all the years I’ve been selling Portland real estate, this added training will give me additional tools and contacts.
We had a test at the end of the second day to obtain the certification. I expect to pass and when I do I will write more about what I, as a SRES®, will be able to offer you.
Portland Real Estate The Myth Older People Are Not Internet Connected
Portland Real Estate The Myth Older People Are Not Internet Connected:
After my first day of class, I came home and logged into Facebook only to read a comment in a Facebook group I belong to about the 55+ group. The comment was about how a particular agent would promote her new real estate property listing to the 55+ group using video. Here’s the comment made:
- “All homes have a target buyer, whether we want to admit it or not, they do. It’s important to gear our marketing towards the style of the buyer. I would do a completely different kind of video where I thought the likely buyer was a boomer. It would be a very boring and stereotypical video.
Ironically, the second day I came back from class, I saw yet another post in another Facebook group by a different real estate agent commenting on seniors and boomers not using email. Here’s that comment that was made:
- “…but, not to most (connected) people, not any more – except the over 55 club, perhaps. BUT, those people are not going to be emailing you anyway – they are very phone call oriented. Generation differences.”
The Reality Is Seniors And Boomers Are Internet Connected
The reality is the generation aged 50 and older are Internet connected. Using email and reading news updates rank first and second as the most frequent on-line activities by the 50 and older group, but social media participation is quickly catching up. Although some older citizens may prefer face-to-face or telephone communications, for many checking email is part of their daily routine.
According to an on-line market research firm, comScore, an estimated 27.4 million users of social media sites are aged 55 or older. Pew Research Center findings show that half of on-line adults aged 50-64 and one in four aged 65 and older, participate in Facebook, Linkedin, YouTube® and other social media sites. The number of on-line users age 50+ doubled from 2009 to 2010.
How Seniors And Boomers Connect On-Line
Most seniors and boomers will go on-line to reconnect with people from their past, reach out for support on-line, especially those dealing with chronic health conditions, and maintain contact with far flung family members. For “snowbirds” and those who are constantly on the go, email or social media may be the most reliable way to keep in touch.
Are You Internet Connected?
I too am a baby boomer and am very Internet connected. Therefore, not only was I disappointed when I read those statements, but it appears many real estate agents have a misunderstanding of the 55+ segment of the Portland real estate market.
That actually is one reason I took this additional training. My goal here on this blog and with this designation (SRES®) is to improve upon the services and information being provided to the 55+ group of Portland homebuyers and sellers.
Do you use email to correspond? How do you feel about the comments made above? How Internet connected are you?
Want To Sell Your Portland Home?
Now is the time to get your Portland home ready if you are planning to sell it this Spring. The Portland real estate market is extremely low on houses for sale and those on the market are getting multiple offers. It is a good time to sell.
Or are you looking to purchase a home in another Portland area? I’d love to be your buyer’s agent, please give me a call at 503-804-9685.
ALL ABOUT…..Seniors.Boomers And Small Houses. © Copyright 2008-2012. Betty Jung. All Rights Reserved. Use of this article, photos and images without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.
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