Marketing to Senior Citizens - Assume Nothing!

Once upon a time, senior citizens were old people.for all those years when they were tied to work.
They were assumed to be suffering from illSome want to move to a more temperate
health and in need of care. They sold their homesclimate - they're tired of the cold and snow and
so they could move in with children or move to awant to get outdoors and play all year. Some
care facility. Not any more.have always dreamed of living on a lake or in the
Now senior citizens exhibit the same variety ofmountains or on the desert. Some wanted to get
health and fitness as people much younger. Inaway to a small town with a slower pace - or to
fact, those who have actively taken care ofmove to a city with opera houses and art
themselves are probably more fit than those ingalleries and the theater. But until now, they were
their teens and 20's who shun exercise and livestuck because they were afraid to move away
on junk food.from their work. Now they can go where they
So, assume nothing, because senior citizens comewant.
in many varieties, with many different goals.Of course, there still are those seniors who are
Many choose to remain in their homes, whileselling because they do need to move in with the
others want a change of scenery. But even thosekids or to an assisted living facility.
want to sell have different reasons.Your job as an agent is to not assume anything.
Some want to get away from excessiveIf you want to sort your lists, set up a capture
maintenance chores. They'll choose a smalleron your website with information about
home with a smaller yard - or perhaps a condo.downsizing to a smaller home, and a separate
They may be in failing health, but don't assumecapture with information about transitioning to
so. They may just want to pursue hobbies orassisted living. You could even have different
take up volunteer work or be free to travel.pages on your site - just like you might have
Many have something they want to do that theydifferent pages and different information for first
couldn't do before, and they don't want to be tiedtime buyers and move-up buyers.
down by a high maintenance home.When you get a call to list a home for a senior
Others want to find a new home with a largecitizen, go with no pre-set ideas. Wait and talk to
yard, or even acreage, so they can take upthe homeowner before you try to anticipate just
gardening or buy a horse or raise dogs.what kind of assistance they need. Otherwise,
Some just want to get away! They'll sell the oldyou'll risk alienating a new client before you get a
homestead and move into a motor home so theychance to show your stuff!
can see the places they've been dreaming about