55 Plus Living, Simplified
Guiding your next chapter with dignity, ease, and trusted expertise. Without the overwhelm.
Why Consider 55+ Living?
Whether you're downsizing, planning ahead, or seeking more community and comfort, we’re here to make it seamless.
Our team specializes in helping you explore age-friendly homes and neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle without
sacrificing elegance or ease.
We work at your pace, guiding each step of your transition with compassion, strategy, and simplicity.
Certified Aging-in-Place (CAPS) Expertise
Steve holds a CAPS designation, meaning he’s trained to identify safe, accessible, and future-focused home options
for aging adults. Whether you want to age in place or explore community-based living, you’ll have a qualified partner
who understands your needs.
Specialized Senior-Living Credentials
- Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®)
- Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS)
- Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES)
These designations reflect training in age-friendly housing, accessibility, and probate/estate sales. Your decisions are
supported with experience and care.
What You Can Expect
- 🏡 Thoughtfully curated 55+ listings (single-level homes, minimal stairs, low-maintenance)
- 👨👩👧👦 Support for family decision-making, transitions, and timing
- 🛠 Referrals to trusted accessibility pros for ramps, walk-in tubs, etc.
- 📅 A zero-pressure process with full transparency from start to finish
Golden Years: Living Safe and Financially Secure
Join our Golden Years Webinar Series — Living Safe and Financially Secure, a special event designed to empower adults 55 and better with expert insights and practical guidance.
Our trusted specialists share real-world strategies for downsizing, planning ahead, maximizing home equity, and maintaining comfort and financial security in your next chapter.
Whether you’re preparing for retirement or simply exploring options, this series will help you live confidently, safely, and stress-free.
Spaces are limited — register today to secure your place in this empowering series.
Meet Our Specialists
Our team of experienced professionals brings together expertise in real estate, finance, health, and retirement planning to help you make confident, informed decisions about your next move.
Weldon Hobbs
Weldon Hobbs brings years of real estate experience helping clients confidently transition into their next chapter. With a genuine passion for supporting 55+ homeowners, Weldon focuses on creating smooth, stress-free moves rooted in trust, care, and understanding.
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[Short 2–3 sentence bio introducing their background, expertise, and connection to the 55+ community.]
[Name of Specialist]
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Let’s Make Your Next Move Peaceful and Empowering
Have questions or just want to explore options? Reach out directly. No sales pitch, just honest guidance.
Your Guide to 55+ Living and Downsizing in Pierce County
Whether you are planning for retirement, looking to simplify your lifestyle, or need a home that better accommodates changing mobility needs, the transition to 55+ living is one of the most important moves you will make. In Pierce County, seniors have access to a wide range of housing options from active adult communities and single-level homes to age-restricted manufactured home communities and accessible condominiums.
Steve McNamer holds both the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designations, making him one of the most qualified agents in Pierce County to help adults 55 and older navigate this transition. Whether you want to stay in your current home with modifications or find the perfect downsized property, Steve provides personalized guidance at your pace with zero pressure.
Downsizing in Pierce County: What to Know
When to start planning: Most seniors benefit from starting the downsizing conversation one to two years before they want to move. This allows time to sort through decades of belongings, make any needed home repairs, explore new communities, and align the timing with financial goals like Social Security and pension optimization.
Tax implications: If you have owned your home for decades, you may have significant capital gains. Under current federal tax law, single homeowners can exclude up to $250,000 in capital gains and married couples up to $500,000 if the home was your primary residence for at least two of the last five years. Steve works with your financial advisor to ensure the sale is timed and structured to minimize your tax burden.
Where to downsize: Pierce County offers a variety of 55+ options across different price points and lifestyles. Popular areas for senior living include Puyallup for its walkable downtown and medical facilities, Gig Harbor for waterfront living and a slower pace, Bonney Lake for newer construction and mountain views, and Lakewood for affordable options near Joint Base Lewis-McChord and VA resources.
Aging in Place vs. Moving: How to Decide
As a CAPS-certified specialist, Steve can evaluate your current home and help you determine whether aging in place with modifications or moving to a more accessible property is the better long-term decision. Key factors include the cost of necessary modifications versus the cost of moving, whether your current home can accommodate future mobility needs, proximity to medical care and family, and your long-term financial picture including home equity and retirement income.
Steve's Approach to Senior Real Estate
Steve understands that moving after decades in the same home is not just a financial transaction; it is an emotional one. He works at your pace, involves family members when you want their input, and provides clear information without sales pressure. His services include free home valuations, personalized 55+ community tours, aging-in-place assessments, coordination with estate planners and elder law attorneys, and referrals to trusted movers, organizers, and contractors who specialize in senior transitions.
Frequently Asked Questions About 55+ Living in Pierce County
What does a Seniors Real Estate Specialist do differently?
An SRES-designated agent has completed specialized training through the National Association of REALTORS to address the unique needs of homebuyers and sellers aged 55 and older. This includes understanding reverse mortgages, tax implications of selling a long-held home, downsizing logistics, and age-specific housing options. Steve McNamer holds both the SRES and CAPS designations, making him uniquely qualified to help seniors in Pierce County make confident real estate decisions.
What are the best 55+ communities in Pierce County?
Pierce County offers several well-regarded 55+ communities including Meridian Campus in Lacey, Canterbury Lane in Puyallup, and various manufactured home communities throughout Spanaway and Lakewood with age-restricted sections. The best fit depends on your budget, lifestyle preferences, and whether you want single-level living, community amenities, or proximity to medical facilities. Steve can provide a personalized list of active 55+ listings that match your specific needs.
Should I downsize before or after retirement?
Downsizing before retirement often provides more financial flexibility because you can qualify for a new mortgage while still employed, and the equity from your current home can boost your retirement savings. However, some homeowners prefer to wait until they know where they want to settle. Steve McNamer helps clients create a personalized downsizing timeline that considers their financial goals, health needs, and family situation.
What is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist?
A CAPS-designated professional has completed training through the National Association of Home Builders to help homeowners evaluate their current home for safety, accessibility, and long-term livability. This includes assessing needs like grab bars, wider doorways, single-level floor plans, and other modifications that allow seniors to remain in their homes safely. Steve McNamer can evaluate whether aging in place or moving to a more accessible home is the better option for your situation.
How do I sell a home I have lived in for 20 or 30 years?
Selling a long-held home involves unique considerations including potentially significant capital gains, emotional attachment, decades of accumulated belongings, and deferred maintenance. In Washington State, single homeowners can exclude up to $250,000 in capital gains and married couples up to $500,000 if the home was their primary residence for at least two of the last five years. Steve works with seniors and their families to create a realistic, low-stress selling plan that respects both the emotional and financial dimensions of the move.
What home modifications help seniors age in place?
The most impactful aging-in-place modifications include grab bars in bathrooms, walk-in showers or tubs, lever-style door handles, improved lighting, non-slip flooring, and first-floor bedroom and bathroom access. More extensive modifications include stair lifts, widened doorways for wheelchair access, and smart home technology for monitoring and safety. As a CAPS-certified specialist, Steve can evaluate your home and recommend modifications that provide the best safety return for your investment.
