Senior Moves
Steady guidance for your next chapter, from a team that has walked this road with families for decades.
Moving later in life is more than a real estate transaction. It is sorting through decades of memories, timing a sale around your next home, and making financial decisions you cannot afford to get wrong. Whether you are planning your own move or helping a parent through theirs, you should not have to figure it out alone.
Zenner Realty is a locally owned boutique brokerage in Venice, and senior transitions are the heart of our work. Kathy Scanlon, SRES®, brings nearly 40 years of real estate experience to every conversation, and Don Zenner, Broker/Owner, served as President of the Venice Area Board of Realtors. We move at your pace, explain everything in plain language, and never pressure you toward a decision.
Who We Help
For Seniors Planning a Move
Maybe the house has become more work than joy. Maybe you are considering a 55+ community, a villa closer to town, or a senior living community. Wherever you are in your thinking, even if it is just early questions, we are glad to sit down and talk it through. Many of our clients start the conversation a year or more before they move. There is no pressure and no timeline but yours.
For Adult Children Helping a Parent
Helping a parent move may be one of the hardest things you ever coordinate, especially from a distance. You are balancing their emotions, your siblings' opinions, the finances, and a house full of belongings. We work with families like yours all the time. We keep everyone informed with regular updates, explain each decision point clearly, and treat your parent with the patience and respect they deserve. If you have not had the first conversation with your parent yet, our article Starting the Conversation is a good place to begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Senior Moves
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An SRES® is a Realtor with additional training in the needs of adults 50 and older: timing a sale around a move to a new community, protecting home equity, understanding how a sale affects retirement finances, and working with families as a group. Kathy Scanlon holds this designation, along with the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) designation.
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Not at all. Many of our clients first sit down with us a year or more before they move. An early conversation costs nothing and usually brings real peace of mind, because you will know your options and what to expect.
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Usually less than you think. We will walk through the home with you and give you an honest list: what is worth doing, what is not, and what buyers in today's Venice market actually care about. We can connect you with trusted contractors for anything that makes sense.
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Very often. We schedule calls around your time zone, send regular written updates so the whole family stays informed, and can be your eyes on the ground for everything from estate sale coordination to final walkthroughs.
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Yes. Venice has dozens of 55+ and active adult communities, each with its own personality, fees, and rules. We have helped many clients find the right fit, and we will be honest about the trade-offs of each, including HOA restrictions and monthly costs.
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We handle these sales regularly and coordinate directly with your attorney to make sure everything is done properly. If you do not have an attorney yet, we can recommend experienced elder law and estate planning attorneys here in Sarasota County.
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Nothing. The first conversation is free, with no obligation and no pressure. We are paid only when a sale or purchase closes, the same as any Realtor.
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We are based in Venice and serve Venice, Nokomis, and the surrounding Sarasota County area.
Start with a conversation, not a commitment
Whether your move is six weeks away or two years out, the easiest first step is a conversation. Call us, or download our free Senior Transition Resource Guide and start planning at your own pace.
Kathy Scanlon, SRES®, ABR® (941) 412-5309 Don Zenner, Broker/Owner (386) 275-5609