Senior Real Estate Planner

Senior Real Estate Planner in Orange County

Simplifying senior moves with care, strategy and ease. Your Goals. Your Plan. Our Guidance.

Guiding Your Next Chapter With Care And Confidence

A move later in life is more than a transaction. It is a life transition. You may be thinking about downsizing, planning for retirement, selling the family home, helping a parent, or making sure your legacy is secure.

I'm Jeanette Nelson, a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) with Jeanette Nelson Real Estate, Keller Williams Realty. I've helped Orange County families since 2003. I listen first, then we build a written plan and timeline together, at your pace. I personally coordinate the estate sale, the movers, the contractors and the staging, so your family has one person to call.

Two white wooden chairs side by side on the grass, looking out over calm water
The family home holds a lifetime of memories. My job is to make sure the next chapter honors them, and that no one in your family feels rushed.

Here's How I Help Your Family

  1. 1

    Downsizing Made Easy

    We look at the options that fit your life: a one-story home, a 55+ community, a condo closer to family, or assisted living. We move at your pace, so you feel confident in every step.

  2. 2

    Estate And Legacy Planning Support

    I work alongside your trust attorney, CPA and financial advisor, so your real estate passes on smoothly and protects what you've built for the people you love.

  3. 3

    Getting Your Home Ready And Sold Well

    My marketing plan helps your home show at its best, with video, online ads and a careful pricing plan, so you have the freedom to enjoy the next season of life.

  4. 4

    A Calmer Move

    Sorting, decluttering, estate sales, donations and the move itself. I bring in the right people and coordinate them, so you are not managing ten phone calls.

  5. 5

    Trusted People You Can Call

    Need legal, financial, moving or home care help? I'll connect you with professionals I know and trust here in Orange County.

What's Included In The Transition Planning Program

  • A private planning conversation
  • A written plan and timeline
  • Guidance on living options
  • Help sorting personal belongings
  • Estate sale coordination
  • Move management support
  • Home safety and repair referrals
  • Home staging
  • Financial and legal referrals
  • A home market analysis
  • Listing and marketing your home
  • Help after the move

Senior Living And Downsizing Articles

Answers to the questions families ask me most, from aging in place and 55+ communities to Prop 19, reverse mortgages and helping a parent move. New articles are added here as they publish.

What Families Say

  • ★★★★★

    “Janet went above and beyond to help our family during a challenging time. She assisted our ill mother in selling her home in record time, securing top dollar for the property and closing escrow in just 10 days! Her professionalism, compassion, and tireless efforts saved us from what could have been an estate nightmare. Janet’s dedication and attention to detail were truly over the top, and we couldn’t be more grateful. We highly recommend her to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, reliable, and caring realtor. Thank you, Janet, for everything! Paula Fox”

    Paula F.

  • ★★★★★

    “Jeanette helped my brothers and me sell an inherited house. She was outstanding at working with us to establish a reasonable price and provided excellent advice throughout the process. Jeanette introduced us to a good escrow company that was really on top of things. I can’t say enough good things about her for her effort, care and ultimately a very smooth and fast escrow to close the sale!”

    Rick R.

  • ★★★★★

    “Jeanette Nelson is a pro! She was recommended by one of my mom's neighbors who couldn't say enough good things about it and we are not disappointed. Within 30 minutes of her walking into my mother's home she was on the phone with someone she knew who did a estate sales and that was just the beginning, we still had a couple of months more to get the house ready to put on the market and she was always there to help us with getting the right people to take care of the work we need it done and great advice on what was important to make the house look its best. Her advice and knowledge of the area and what was happening with the market was exactly what we needed and her professionalism and honesty made it so easy to trust her advice and such a pleasure to work with her.”

    Kim C.

Read All Reviews

Questions Families Ask About Senior Moves

What is a Senior Real Estate Planner?

A Senior Real Estate Planner helps homeowners 55 and older, and their families, plan a move around the whole life transition, not just the sale. That means a written plan and timeline, guidance on living options, and coordination of the estate sale, movers, contractors and other professionals. Jeanette Nelson does this through her Transition Planning Program in Orange County.

What is a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®)?

SRES® is a designation from the National Association of REALTORS® for agents trained to help homeowners 50 and older with moves like downsizing, selling a longtime home, or moving into senior living. Jeanette Nelson holds the SRES® designation.

How do I know when it's time to downsize?

Common signs are stairs or upkeep that feel harder each year, rooms that go unused, wanting to be closer to family, or wanting to free up equity for retirement. There is no deadline. A private planning conversation helps you weigh your options before anything is decided.

Can I keep my low property tax base if I move?

California's Prop 19 lets homeowners 55 and older transfer their property tax base to a replacement home anywhere in California, up to three times, when the rules are met. Your county assessor and your tax advisor can confirm how it applies to you. Jeanette's free Prop 19 guide explains the basics.

Should I age in place or move?

It depends on your health, your home's layout, the cost of updates, and how close you want to be to family and care. Some families remodel for aging in place; others find a one-story home or a 55+ community is simpler and costs less over time. Jeanette can walk through both paths with you.

Can you help if I live out of the area and need to sell a parent's home?

Yes. Jeanette lives in south Huntington Beach and can be your local eyes and hands: coordinating cleanouts, estate sales, repairs and showings, and keeping the whole family updated along the way.

What areas do you serve?

Orange County, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, and surrounding areas.

Let's Start With A Conversation

No pressure and no rushed decisions. Tell me a little about what your family is facing, and I'll call you at a time that works for you.

Jeanette Nelson Real Estate, Keller Williams Realty | 714.366.8575 | DRE: 01397168

★★★★★

“Jeanette listed and sold my home in 5 days in one of the worst markets we've seen in decades. Her professionalism, care and expertise were invaluable to me.”

Allison J. · Huntington Beach seller · November 2025
★★★★★

“Within 30 minutes of her walking into my mother's home she was on the phone with someone she knew who did estate sales... she was always there to help us with getting the right people to take care of the work we needed done and great advice on what was important to make the house look its best.”

Kim C. · Family estate sale · February 2026
★★★★★

“As a first time homebuyer, I can't imagine completing this process without Jeanette's help. She was with me through the ups and downs, offering helpful advice and encouragement around every corner.”

Brian G. · First-time buyer · August 2025
★★★★★

“Jeanette was so amazing through our whole process of buying a house. I would recommend her to everyone. She is professional and a go getter. She goes above and beyond to make the best experience for her clients. We are truly grateful for all her help buying a house.”

Holly M. · Buyer · February 2026
★★★★★

“Jeanette and our family have known each other for over ten years, as our children have been classmates. She is a highly trustworthy and knowledgeable professional, and at the same time, we have seen her consistently show up as a devoted mother, no matter how busy she is, she always makes time to participate in her sons’ school events and volunteer activities. If you are looking for a reliable real estate agent who is truly rooted in the local community, we wholeheartedly recommend Jeanette. Jeanette, thank you so much for taking the time to visit and show us so many properties over the years. We learned so much from the experience, and we truly appreciate it. We look forward to working with you again when we begin searching for our next home.”

Kaori S. · Buyer client · January 2026
★★★★★

“Best realtor around. Jeanette has helped up buy and sell 2 houses now and we have had nothing but success both times. She always made herself available to us no matter at the time or day. Even after our transactions have been completed, Jeanette continues to stay in contact with us. Hard to find somebody who treats you like family and not just another business transaction.”

Erin B. · Repeat buyer and seller · May 2025