In this episode of Unlocking Senior Resources, I’m joined by Michele Targovnik, a Senior Real Estate Specialist with Daniel Gale Sotheby’s, who brings both expertise and empathy to the home buying and selling process for seniors. With a background rooted in corporate leadership and personal experience supporting aging family members, Michele’s approach to real estate is all about connection, trust, and personalized care.
We dig into the emotional and logistical complexities of helping seniors transition from long-time homes into new living arrangements—whether it’s downsizing, moving into assisted living, or supporting multi-generational housing. Michele explains how a thoughtful real estate process can ease the burden on families and why it all starts with understanding what people truly need, not just what they want in a house.
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Episode Highlights:
- [0:00] – Introduction
- [1:05] – Michele’s path from corporate life to real estate and discovering her passion
- [2:48] – How her family’s history in senior care shaped her professional values
- [3:34] – Supporting seniors through emotional transitions with care and empathy
- [6:45] – What it means to be a Senior Real Estate Specialist and how that benefits clients
- [8:44] – Navigating a low inventory market: strategies for competitive home buying
- [12:00] – Michele’s step-by-step advice for planning a home purchase or downsize
- [18:58] – Why Zestimate values can mislead and the importance of market analysis
- [20:01] – The pricing strategy every seller needs to get right
- [23:12] – Real-life example: selling a family home tied to personal memories
- [26:03] – Which home improvements are worth it—and which ones aren’t
- [30:00] – The rise of multi-generational living and what buyers need to know
- [33:00] – Critical paperwork and disclosures every New York buyer and seller should understand
- [41:26] – What’s changed in 2024 with agent commissions—and what hasn’t
- [45:05] – Michele’s core philosophy: Real estate is deeply personal
- [47:00] – Why even experienced investors still use realtors—and what that says about their value
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5 Key Takeaways:
- Real estate is personal, not transactional. Michele emphasizes the importance of empathy and trust, especially when working with seniors and their families.
- Start with a plan. Buyers should begin with budget clarity, pre-approval, and a list of must-haves to make the process smoother and less emotional.
- Zillow is not gospel. Online estimates often fail to consider critical property details, making expert market analysis essential for realistic pricing.
- A good pricing strategy beats home upgrades. Renovations rarely yield full ROI, but a well-priced home with broad appeal can sell faster and better.
- Even pros need pros. Michele and I agree—whether buying or selling, having an experienced, dedicated realtor on your side makes a huge difference.
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Links & Resources:
- Contact Michele Targovnik: (631) 897-8286
- Email: micheletargovnik@danielgale.com
- Website: danielgale.com
- Leave the Key Homebuyers: leavethekey.com | Call: (631) 388-7771
