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ERA Franchise Systems LLC
1 Campus Drive Parsippany, NJ 07054 (973) 428-9700 |
Media contact: Stacy Quinn
(973) 496-7904 stacy.quinn@ERA.com |
Program helps ERA® affiliates assist growing senior market
PARSIPPANY, NJ, April 22, 2002 - Ninety percent of seniors will not put their home on the market until they have already purchased a new one or made definite arrangements in a retirement community, reports the Senior Advantage Real Estate Council.
For many of those surveyed, the ERA Sellers Security Plan is a valuable option for those seeking the comfort of a guaranteed sale before making a significant change in lifestyle. ERA Real Estate is the only national real estate franchise brokerage network that offers its customers that option. As a result, ERA affiliates are well equipped to assist those interested in downsizing their homes.
A recent study issued by the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that by the year 2025, the United States senior population is expected to jump nearly 80 percent. Like people relocating for a new job, many seniors do not have the luxury of waiting for their home to sell if they are on a waiting list for a retirement community.
"Since we started the program in 1978, we've found that the senior community want empowerment, options and pre-planned strategies," says John Carraher, director of relocation and business development programs, ERA Real Estate. "In many cases, seniors already have commitments to either purchase a new home or join an assisted living community. They need the assurance that their house will sell. Once they put their house on the market, they have the boxes out and are ready to move."
Simply stated, the ERA® Sellers Security® Plan* means "We Will Sell Your House, Or ERA Will Buy It!®" Created to assist sellers whose current home needs to be sold to enable their next home purchase, the program uses a "Five-Point Marketing Plan" to help maximize the marketability and sales potential of a home. Customers are guaranteed a sale and closing date once they meet requirements and accept the ERA offer. The homeowner is then advanced equity of up to $100,000 for the purchase of a new home.
"An assured offer from ERA solves the contingency sale problem," Carraher said. "If the home does not sell, ERA will buy it. Such a guarantee goes far with seniors and helps our affiliates offer a unique service to their customers."
Sales associate Marc Lobdell of ERA Beaver Real Estate in Fort Myers, Florida says the ERA Sellers Security Plan has helped him assist seniors in this market. "Not only does this give me a competitive edge over other sales associates in my area, but it has eased the selling process for many of the seniors with whom I have worked," Lobdell said. "It helps them eliminate a lot of uncertainties during what is oftentimes a stressful situation. I'm glad that I have the ability to help them through utilizing this one-of-a-kind ERA plan."
* Certain costs, conditions and limitations apply to the program.
About ERA Franchise Systems LLC
ERA Franchise Systems LLC is a global leader in the residential real estate industry with 30 years experience in developing consumer-oriente d products and services. It is a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD) and part of its Real Estate Franchise Group. The ERA real estate network includes 2,600 offices and more than 28,000 brokers and sales associates throughout the United States and 26 other countries and territories. Each ERA office is independently owned and operated. ERA information is available to consumers on the Internet at www.ERA.com. ERA properties can also be viewed at www.REALTOR.com®.
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