ItB次元官网网址檚 no secret Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 population is one of the oldest in Canada.
With 115,735 residents over the age of 55, just over a third of the population, The Capital Region has the third-highest such population in the country, just behind Peterborough, Ont. and Kelowna, according to the 2011 census.
With that in mind, it should be no surprise that the city is also home to more than a few senior real estate specialists (SRES).
SRES is an official designation created in 2007 and granted by the National Association of Realtors to members of the Canadian Real Estate Association upon completion of the respective course.
Chris Kirby, an SRES at Slegg Realty, said several factors put Greater Victoria at the top of the list for many seniors, retirees in particular.
B次元官网网址淭he biggest pull is the climate,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲inter can be really challenging, especially as you get older. A lot of people from other provinces start looking at Victoria once they retire, because they donB次元官网网址檛 have to worry about icy roads. The fact that you can golf all year here is a huge draw as well.B次元官网网址�
Kirby said this is a popular spot to retire even for people from Vancouver, due to the lower cost of living, especially for those looking to spend their golden years in a home by the sea.
Just like the needs of older residents, the services provided by age-restricted condominiums can vary greatly, with some providing dinners for residents or even daily check-ins by staff.
Andy Stephenson, a SRES with SothebyB次元官网网址檚 Realty, said accessibility is important for Realtors to take account when working with older clients.
B次元官网网址淣ot all seniors are Internet savvy, some are hard of hearing and their sight is not always good,B次元官网网址� Stephenson said. B次元官网网址淪mall things, like using larger font in paperwork, can be helpful, and you canB次元官网网址檛 expect to send PDF documents over email and have the client print them off.B次元官网网址�
When trying to reach an older demographic, many agents rely on print advertisements, particularly in magazines that specialize in B次元官网网址渟enior living,B次元官网网址� though many SRES also cater to the general market. However, Kirby said that an increasing amount of seniors are now using Facebook, and having the ability to buy ads on the website that only appear on the screens of users over the age of 55, has helped him get his name out to potential clients.
While the Victoria real estate market has no shortage of homes, or realtors, suitable for seniors, Kirby said that a new home isnB次元官网网址檛 always the best option.
B次元官网网址淭he first thing I look at is what the difficulty with the current home is, and if thereB次元官网网址檚 anything that can be done to improve it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪ometimes thereB次元官网网址檚 an easy fix, and a lot of people donB次元官网网址檛 know that its often tax-deductible. For some seniors, the thing they want most is to stay in their own home.B次元官网网址�
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