The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and AARP have teamed up to create a new relationship forged to better assist and engage older Americans in senior real estate. This collaboration is planned to inform NAR members about community factors that support people as they age. With the number of Americans 65 and older expected to more than double to 80 million in 2040, this is important for a growing national demographic.
For NAR members using the REALTORS Property Resource® website and mobile app, a practical implementation of this partnership will be the integration of the AARP Livability Index data through those platforms. The AARP Livability Index includes robust national data that is broken down by ZIP code. It can offer vital insights into factors that impact property owners of all ages, including healthcare and transportation. This information can be passed on to clients for more informed decision-making.
AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins stated, “One of our goals is to help people better understand their housing needs over a lifetime. Clearly, homebuyers and other movers can use more information to help them make choices that meet their needs.” Ms. Jenkins continued to say, We want to address the barriers that prevent people from living in their desired communities as they age and I know this relationship with NAR will help us better accomplish that goal.”
The announcement was made during the fully virtual 2020 Realtors® Conference & Expo. Bob Goldberg, CEO of the nation’s largest trade association, said, “Understanding and better assisting older Americans in their real estate transactions has been a priority of NAR for some time, and partnering with AARP is a continuation of that focus”.
Mr. Goldberg continued on to say, “Highlighting AARP’s Livability Index to Realtors® through the REALTORS Property Resource® will provide valuable insight to our members while positioning them to better safeguard and advise home and property buyers.”
Previous to the collaboration between the NAR and AARP was the NAR Seniors Real Estate Specialist® program. The Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) designation is for REALTORS® who want to be able to meet the special needs of maturing Americans when selling, buying, relocating, or refinancing residential or investment properties and complete in-depth training in a wide variety of topics specifically related to senior real estate, homebuyers and sellers over the age of 50.
“Realtors® are put through a rigorous course to earn their SRES® designation and upon completion they’re equipped with expertise on counseling senior clients through major financial and lifestyle transitions,” said Goldberg. “This collaboration with AARP will take Realtors’® efforts in serving older Americans to the next level.”
Yasmin Diallo Turk is a long-time Austinite, non-profit professional in the field of sexual and domestic violence, and graduate of both Huston-Tillotson University and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. When not writing for AG she should be writing her dissertation but is probably just watching Netflix with her husband and 3 kids or running volunteer projects for HOPE for Senegal.
