MIAAOR, The Arlington of Naples Bring Specialized Senior Real Estate Course to SW Florida

The Marco Island Area Association of REALTORS® (MIAAOR) recently partnered with affiliate member The Arlington of Naples to bring an important and highly specialized educational opportunity to Southwest Florida real estate professionals. The two-day Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) Designation Course, held October 28–29 at The Arlington of Naples, welcomed nine Realtors eager to expand their knowledge and better serve the unique needs of today’s senior homebuyers and sellers.

The idea for hosting the course originated back in June with Barbara Ann Heegan, Director of Business Development at The Arlington of Naples, who approached MIAAOR with the vision of bringing this specialized training to the area. Recognizing the tremendous value of the program and the natural connection between senior living and real estate, MIAAOR was excited to help make the opportunity a reality.

“We are incredibly grateful to Barbara Ann and the entire Arlington team for bringing this idea to us and helping make it such a wonderful educational experience,” said Caroline Charde, Director of Education and Communications at MIAAOR. “This was a perfect example of what can happen when our association and affiliate partners collaborate to bring meaningful opportunities to our members and the greater real estate community.”

The two-day course ran from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM each day and was led by instructor Amy Reinholdt, whose extensive knowledge and engaging presentation style made for an informative and rewarding experience. All nine participants successfully completed the course, taking an important step toward earning their SRES® designation. Following the required reporting and certificate processing, which typically takes a few weeks, the Realtors will be able to officially use the designation and put their newly acquired knowledge to work serving the senior real estate market.

The class attracted Realtors not only from the Marco Island and Naples areas, but also from Bonita Springs and as far away as Port St. Lucie – a testament to the value of a course that is not frequently offered in our region.

The SRES® designation, presented by the National Association of REALTORS® through the Center for REALTOR® Development, provides specialized training to help real estate professionals better understand and serve clients age 50 and older. With this demographic representing a significant segment of today’s housing market, the course addresses the unique financial, lifestyle, housing, and emotional considerations that often accompany major life transitions.

Topics include understanding senior housing options, downsizing, aging in place, retirement and relocation decisions, reverse mortgages, estate planning considerations, and the importance of assembling a knowledgeable team of professionals to support clients and their families.

The Arlington of Naples went above and beyond in making the experience memorable. The team graciously provided breakfast and lunch for attendees both days, while also opening its doors for an inside look at the community. Students enjoyed a guided tour of one of the community’s apartments as well as an estate home, giving Realtors firsthand exposure to the living options available to today’s seniors.

The educational experience extended well beyond the classroom. Attendees heard directly from several Arlington professionals about the community’s operations and services. Instructor Amy Reinholdt also welcomed a special guest speaker to discuss reverse mortgages, while a Senior Move Manager provided valuable insight into her profession and the essential role she plays in helping individuals and families navigate the often-overwhelming process of transitioning from one home to another.

These real-world perspectives helped bring the course material to life, demonstrating that assisting senior clients involves much more than simply finding or selling a home. It requires compassion, patience, specialized knowledge, and an understanding of the many resources available to support clients through significant life changes.

MIAAOR is proud to offer educational opportunities that help its members grow professionally while strengthening relationships with the affiliate partners and community organizations that make these programs possible. The successful collaboration with The Arlington of Naples is a wonderful example of how working together can create meaningful experiences that benefit Realtors and the communities they serve.

A special thank-you goes to Barbara Ann Heegan and the entire Arlington of Naples team for their hospitality, generosity and vision, as well as Amy Reinholdt for sharing her expertise and making the two days so worthwhile.

Congratulations to the nine Realtors who successfully completed the SRES® designation course: Laurie Burns Kocak, Mary Dowsett, Jennifer Gates, Desiree Katsoufis, Janet Fesko Parker, Tanya McClendon, Charles Neal, Shawna Smilgius and Jack Winnik. Each participant successfully completed the two-day training and is now awaiting final certificate processing before officially using the SRES® designation.