Do you hold the SRES designation or Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist credential?

Yes or no. If yes, ask when they earned it and whether they have maintained active membership. If no, ask whether they have other senior or estate experience and for references from families like yours. Do not let the answer be I have worked with lots of seniors. That is not the same as formal training or a credential.

How many senior moves or estate sales have you closed in the past three years?

A qualified agent will have a number and will be willing to break it down by type: downsizing, probate, relocation to assisted living, etc. If the answer is zero or one, they are still building experience and should not be representing your parent unless you cannot find anyone else. Three to five a year is decent. Ten or more is excellent.

Have you worked with families managing a parent's move, or are all your clients selling their own homes?

These are different transactions. Managing a parent's move involves adult children, family conflict, medical timelines, and assisted living coordination. Selling your own home as a senior is different. You need an agent who has done the work you are asking for, not just a similar transaction type.

Can you walk me through what happens if probate is involved?

A qualified agent can explain the basic timeline, the executor role, the court involvement, and what documents a title company will need. If they seem confused or overwhelmed, they have not done much probate work. If they refer you to an attorney for questions about legal authority, that is a good sign. They know their lane.

Who do you work with for tax and elder law questions that come up during the transaction?

A strong SRES or probate agent will have relationships with CPAs, tax professionals, elder law attorneys, and long term care specialists they can refer you to. They know they do not have all the answers, and they have built a team. If they say they handle everything, that is a red flag.

Can you provide references from three families you have helped in the past two years?

A qualified agent will have references. Call them. Ask about the family dynamics, whether the agent handled conflict well, whether the timeline felt manageable, and whether the family felt respected and protected. References from real clients tell you everything credentials cannot.

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What an SRES Designation Actually Does

linda blackmon
3 days ago
0 min read

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