Seniors Real Estate Institute Announces Expansion of Training Team to Meet Growing Demand for Classes

Austin, TX, June 22, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Recognizing a significant need for increased awareness and training in the real estate industry relative to the complexities involved in late in life moves, Nikki Buckelew, Founder and CEO of the Seniors Real Estate Institute, announces today that the organization focused on seniors real estate and housing education and coaching is expanding it’s team of trainers to meet the growing demand for classes.

“We have been delivering our formal coaching and training programs in seniors real estate and housing officially now for one year and it has become apparent that in order to reach more brokers and equip them to serve our older adult homeowners, we must expand our team,” Buckelew concludes. She added “Population trends have created a significant gap in the skills and understanding needed to serve the specialized needs of seniors who are downsizing from a home that they may have lived in for decades and transitioning to another type of living situation. REALTORS and brokers are preparing themselves for this impending shift in the market and while we have been able to meet the need to this point, we are now finding it necessary to expand our training team in order to facilitate the increased requests for more classes.”

As baby boomers weigh their retirement options, they face, like no generation before them, the challenges of caring for and helping to transition their elderly parents into new living situations. U.S. Census Bureau data indicate that the 90-and-older segment of the population nearly tripled over the past three decades. Due largely to longer life expectancies, this population is expected to increase in size four times over during the next 40 years. “Adult children with aging parents who often live thousands of miles away, are increasingly relying on the expertise of trusted local professionals to help them assist their parents with the complexities of a late-in-life transition and there is a huge shortage of professionals in the real estate industry equipped to do so at this time,” remarked Buckelew.

New trainers to the organization are tasked with delivering two key educational programs currently offered through the Seniors Real Estate Institute. "5 Essential Strategies for Serving Seniors" is a 3 hour continuing education class designed to equip general real estate professionals, brokers, and affiliates with basic tools, resources, and information necessary to navigate complex late in life moves. Trainers will also deliver an advanced two-day course titled “Success in Seniors Real Estate,” the prerequisite core curriculum required for real estate associates and brokers to earn the Certified Senior Housing Professional (CSHP) designation.

The Certified Senior Housing Professional (CSHP) designation offered by the Seniors Real Estate Institute covers the full spectrum of knowledge and skills that real estate agents need to facilitate every aspect of a late-in-life move. The CSHP designation also incorporates extensive business coaching and training on creating a seniors specialty while maintaining a profitable business model differentiating it from other industry related designations.

“We believe that every real estate agent and broker should attend the 5 Essential Strategies for Serving Seniors class and that is why we offer it at no cost to the agent in most areas,” says Buckelew. “Regardless of whether they choose to make seniors real estate and housing a specialty niche or not, they will find themselves working with more and more senior adults and children of aging parents in the coming years and we want them to be prepared for the complexities that accompany downsizing moves and late in life transitions.”

Buckelew emphasizes that her vision is to have enough Certified Senior Housing Professionals in every major city across North America in the next five years to meet the growing needs of seniors. It is this vision driving the expansion of their training team this year to include the best and most dynamic trainers available. “Our trainers are not just teachers,” emphasizes Buckelew. “The course is only as good as the person delivering it and we only want the best of the best when it comes to presenting, coaching, and facilitating.”

Uniquely positioned to spearhead a coaching and training company that is sharply focused on the seniors housing and real estate markets, Buckelew holds an undergraduate degree in Family Studies and Gerontology and a Masters degree in counseling psychology. As a 20-year veteran of the real estate industry she previously co-founded, managed, and subsequently sold a mega-agent team and senior move management company specializing in serving older adults, and has achieved renowned status industry wide as a highly effective and insightful trainer and coach.

Those interested in training opportunities with the Seniors Real Estate Institute may inquire by emailing info@seniorsrealestateinstitute.com or calling 239-449-6721.