By Laurie Whittier
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Potential residents who are tired of homeowner hassles have a new ally in Kate Dukes. As Wind Crest’s first-ever personal moving consultant, Dukes provides free support to help get houses sold faster.  

The personal moving consultant position is part of Erickson Realty & Moving Services, a new program that was tested at Erickson communities in Michigan, Illinois, and Massachusetts last year. Following a successful pilot program, Erickson Retirement Communities is rolling out Erickson Realty & Moving Services at all of its communities.

A perfect fit
As a personal moving consultant, Dukes acts as a representative for clients and a liaison to their real estate agents—providing customized advice, tips, and services designed to get people to closing faster so they can start living worry-free sooner.

Licensed since 1994, Dukes has extensive experience in residential sales for companies like Prudential and RE/MAX, and she’s enjoyed being an agent. But this job will allow her to spend more time building relationships.

“Since I won’t have to spend time showing properties, I’ll be able to spend more time getting to know future Wind Crest residents and helping them reach their goals,” she says. She offers assistance with everything from pricing to marketing, staging, downsizing, packing, and moving for members of Wind Crest’s priority list (people who have put down a deposit to be on a waiting list until their dream apartment home becomes available).

No stone unturned
Following a personal visit to the priority list member’s home, Dukes begins by creating a customized assessment of what it would take to get the house in the best saleable condition. Staging, or emphasizing the house’s best features, is one of the areas where she can offer the Midas touch.