Stacy Zigman Is a New York REALTOR® with Special Training
in Counseling Senior Home Sellers and Their Families!
Stacy Zigman Is a New York REALTOR® with Special Training
in Counseling Senior Home Sellers and Their Families!
As we age, we demand specialists for our medical needs, so why not for our real estate needs as well?
Consider this: You are a senior Long Island or Queens homeowner who has been living in the family home for the past 30 years. You plan to downsize to a condo or apartment, perhaps located nearer to your children. You begin looking into the different housing options available such as a retirement community or assisted living. However, unanswered questions cloud your thought process such as:
- How much is my home worth?
- Is there an optimal time to sell my home?
- What are the tax consequences if I sell my home?
- What should I do (and not do) to prepare my home for sale?
John and Jade Chin, celebrating with Stacy and their buyers on closing day, downsized from a large multi-level house on Long Island to a “right-size” apartment home in a beautiful New Jersey senior living community.
Seniors Real Estate Specialist® Designee
The National Association of REALTORS® ("NAR") has identified those REALTORS® who have earned a specific designation called the Seniors Real Estate Specialist® ("SRES®"). These agents are best equipped to assist seniors, and can add tremendous value and peace of mind to the overall sales process. Stacy Zigman is one such designee.
Sol and Elaine Gardner and their REALTOR®, Stacy Zigman, on the day they sold their long-time family home and downsized to senior housing in a maintenance-free assisted living community.
As a member of the Seniors Real Estate Council, Ms. Zigman has not only successfully completed the educational requirements and other prerequisites necessary to earn her designation, but Stacy has over 25 years of experience in helping maturing New York clients make life-changing transitions (such as relocating and selling the family home). Stacy's specialized expertise allows her to do more than just spearhead the home selling process. Ms. Zigman can:
a) Recommend charity organizations and rubbish removal companies who can easily arrange for the donation or removal of excess furniture and other items that have been accumulated over the years,
b) Arrange for a senior homeowner to sell his/her home AS IS, significantly reducing the amount of work and headache in selling one's residence, and
c) Suggest the appropriate professionals to address issues that are important to seniors including tax, estate planning, and elder-law issues.
Information for Family Members Helping Loved Ones with Senior Housing Transitions
Stacy can also assist family members with loved ones who are transitioning out of their Nassau County, Suffolk County and Queens County homes into assisted living, memory care or other specialized care facilities. Stacy knows firsthand what to anticipate, having lived through this process both in her personal life and with numerous families throughout the years.
Adult children unexpectedly find themselves in the difficult position of having to assist an elder parent with a home sale to help pay for the parent’s long-term medical and living needs. The level and urgency of care needed often dictates how soon the older adult’s home needs to go on the market.
Lora Lubin smiles big alongside Seniors Real Estate Specialist Stacy Zigman, her daughter Shellen and her attorney at the closing of her “lived in for a lifetime” home where she raised her family.
For seniors who are planning a future move into a senior living community, but who can still live independently, Stacy recommends that family members contact her early in the process when the aging parent is still healthy and can assist with decision making. Stacy notes, “Many seniors need time to adjust to the concept of moving out of their home, especially if they have been living there for many years. Setting up an introductory meeting at the parent’s New York residence early on, during the planning stages and before there is an imminent need for care, gives the older adult a feeling of control.” After the initial meeting, Stacy will keep in touch with all members of the family, which helps facilitate the future sale of the property while promoting a sense of well-being.
Sometimes planning time is minimal and there is a more immediate need to sell an older parent’s New York home. Stacy observes, “When an aging parent suddenly exhibits dangerous signs and can no longer live alone, family members may have to quickly relocate mom or dad, even temporarily into their own residence. During this challenging time, caregivers face a multitude of time-consuming tasks such as touring special care facilities, consulting with medical professionals and dealing with insurance carriers. This undertaking can be overwhelming, especially when added to one’s own employment and family responsibilities.” Having an experienced life-transition realtor such as Ms. Zigman, who has the right resources and is skilled at working with seniors and their families, can help lessen the stress and allow the home selling process to proceed more smoothly. An excellent communicator, Stacy believes regular dialogue, responsiveness and hands-on assistance are key to helping a senior client’s family member, whether he or she lives down the road on Long Island or resides out-of-state.
Sue Ellen Gaska and her listing agent, Stacy Zigman, just before Sue moved out of the home she lived in for 52 years and into her son and his family’s newly extended house.
Choosing the Right Senior Friendly REALTOR®
In addition to the knowledge, understanding and contacts Stacy has acquired over the years and through the SRES® designation, Stacy's empathetic nature makes her the PERFECT agent to work with senior homeowners and their families. Ms. Zigman points out when working with senior clients or their caregivers, "I make certain that all their questions are answered and I encourage them to call me as often as they like."
Although you don't have to choose a New York Seniors Real Estate Specialist when selling your home, why wouldn't you? After all, for most senior adults, the homes that they live in are their largest asset and account for most of their net worth!
If you or someone you know is a member of the Long Island or Queens senior community and planning to sell a New York home, feel free to contact Stacy Zigman at 516-827-SOLD (7653) or email her.
Here are some of the testimonial letters Stacy has received from satisfied mature homeowners and their families over the years.
