Recently, our Real Estate Broker, Sam Cricks, and Real Estate Agent Pat McElroy, completed the necessary requirements to obtain their Senior Real Estate Specialist Certification! This designation gives Sam and Pat the special skills needed to assist clients over the age of 50 and their families handle any lifestyle transitions they may be going through.

According to the Senior Real Estate Specialist Council, there are several steps to earn this certification.

1. Maintain active NAR membership

Membership in the National Association of REALTORS® is required. NAR membership includes an extensive library of resources, advocacy, and consumer outreach.

2. Complete the Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) Designation Course

This course helps Realtors gain practical knowledge and techniques, including:

• Key differences in housing options, from age-restricted communities to assisted living

• Applications of the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA)

• Ins and outs of reverse mortgages

• How to use pensions, 401(k) accounts, and IRAs in real estate transactions

• Ways in which Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security affect real estate decisions of clients over 50

• How to recognize and protect clients from mortgage finance and loan schemes that target borrowers ages 50+

3. Maintain active membership in the SRES® Council.

The SRES® Council was formed to provide continuing education to REALTORS®, supply consumers with valuable information resources, and connect senior homebuyers and sellers with qualified SRES® designees. 

Samantha Cricks manages SCS Real Estate, the full service real estate brokerage of S.C. Swiderski. As the broker, she trains and mentors Realtors and oversees all real estate transactions of the company. Samantha has over 15 years of management experience and practices servant leadership. She started her real estate career in Madison in 2002 and has been selling in the Wausau market since 2018. She was recognized as Marathon County’s Best Real Estate Agent in 2021 and led the brokerage to win the Best Real Estate Agency in 2021. She is on the Board of Directors for the Central Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service, the Board of Directors for South Area Business Association, and on the Board of Directors for Central WI Board of Relators.

Pat McElroy is a lifelong Central Wisconsin resident with more than twenty years of experience in customer service, marketing, and a strong history in property management and real estate investment evaluation. As a Realtor, he is committed to achieving clients’ goals by providing attentive service, consistent communication, and exceptional marketing. Pat takes a great deal of pride in making sure his clients get the service that they deserve.

SCS is dedicated to helping our employees grow their skill sets and interests within the company. Whether it be our property managers attending landlord bootcamp, a development employee going back to school to get a degree in architecture or our Real Estate team expanding their expertise, our leadership team encourages our employees to grow in their careers.  

To contact Sam or Pat, visit our SCS Real Estate page!