What is a senior move manager and how can they help?
As an industry, senior move management came into its own in the late 1990s and even more so after the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) was formed in 2002. Now, that organization has hundreds of managers all across the country in all of the major metropolitan areas. So, what do senior move managers do? Well, there are three primary types of clients who benefit from senior move manager services:
Long-time homeowners or retirees. These types of people tend to have accumulated a lot of material possessions. When they’re looking to move into a smaller home, they realize that they can’t take everything with them. This can become overwhelming, and they often don’t know where to start or who to call.
Older adults who feel like they need hands-on help. Many of the things we need when making a move are online. Some older adults just aren’t as skilled in navigating the internet (or aren’t sure who to trust online). They need someone who can walk them through the entire relocation process personally.
Families or caregivers who are tasked with helping a loved one. Often, caregivers act on behalf of a loved one who lives out of state or in a different area, and they may not completely understand how to help them move. These people need both emotional and logistical support with the overall project.
“Move managers do the hands-on aspects of the process.”
So what can a senior move manager do to help these kinds of clients? Just like real estate agents, every senior move manager has a different business model, but here are the things they generally do to help clients:
Help the client with decisions about space planning. By assessing how the size of the place they’re moving to compares to the space they currently have, senior move managers can help their clients select furniture and other possessions that will fit into their new space.
Help clients secure a mover, assist with packing, sorting, etc. Depending on the business, senior move managers may help with finding someone to do the liquidation of what is left. In some cases, they may even make a referral to real estate agents.
Why is this important to you as a real estate agent? I often hear from REALTORS who have clients who need to move but don’t know where to start. If you’re a real estate professional serving seniors, engaging the services of a move manager will be important to you.
IMPORTANT: Don’t treat move managers simply as untapped referral sources and start asking them for referrals. Instead, ask them what they do and how they can help your clients by making their lives easier. If it makes sense to partner on future business, then great! Focus on helping clients – referrals will likely come naturally if you are coming from a place of contribution.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about serving downsizing seniors, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via phone or email or check out our free online trainings. If you need a move manager in your area, visit NASMM.ORG.
Are you interested in serving more seniors? Get started by enrolling in Success in Seniors Real Estate today or check out our Free Video Trainings.