By Jessica Solomon
Every once in a while, you meet someone whose wisdom hits you in the gut—in the best way. That was my conversation with Lenore Wilkas, a seasoned real estate professional with the kind of perspective you only earn by showing up for families year after year. Think seasoned Jedi energy with a side of yoga-in-traininghumility.
Early on she dropped a line that sent me straight back to my mom (and her best friend Sheila): “A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.” I could hear them saying it—chuckling, eyes twinkling. Then came another classic that I’ve spent years trying to defrag from my internal hard drive: “If it sounds too good to be true…” You know the rest.
On Fraud and “Too Good to Be True”
Lenore wasn’t being cute with the clichés; she was issuing a warning. Fraud is rising—especially against older adults. It’s not new, but the scale and sophistication are. A close friend of mine, an estate planning attorney, watched his own mother get hit for over $40,000 by a scammer. That’s how relentless this stuff is.
Lenore sees the front lines—from families in transition to complex transactions where urgency and emotion can cloud judgment. Her take: we need to slow down, verify, and normalize vigilance. The best defense is a blend of education, practical steps (trust but verify), and trusted professionals who aren’t afraid to say “no” when a deal smells off.
The Work Behind the Wisdom
Why does Lenore’s advice land so deeply? Because she’s lived it. Her work brings her into the heart of family dynamics—grief, hope, pressure, and the dizzying admin of life transitions. Over decades, she’s sharpened a skill we don’t talk about enough: psychological patience.
It’s the patience to meet people where they are, not where we wish they’d be. To acknowledge feelings before offering solutions. To hold space for adult children who want to help—and aging parents who may not want to hear it (especially from their own kids). If you’ve worked in senior care or real estate long enough, you know: our families are often the last to take our advice, even when it’s coming from a place of love.
Do We Really Need “More Housing”?
One of the most interesting threads in our conversation pushed on a sacred cow: the often-repeated mantra,“We need more housing.” Do we? What kind of housing do we actually need for an exploding older-adult population?
Lenore’s mind goes to tiny homes and flexible, rightsized options. Mine jumps to converting commercial spaces and reimagining underused buildings. And then there are those monster suburban homes—could they be reconfigured for multigenerational living or shared senior housing? Meanwhile, the next generations are craving walkable, urban life with real community.
The answer isn’t just more; it’s smarter—housing that fits people’s stage of life, budget, care needs, and desire for connection. Community is the secret ingredient. We don’t age well in isolation.
What Stuck With Me
- Acknowledge first. People move when they feel seen.
- Verify everything. Especially where money and urgency intersect.
- Right-size the solution. Not bigger, not flashier—fitting.
- Build for community. Because connection sustains us more than square footage.
- Stay humble. We’re all still learning (Jedi robes optional).
Why I’m Grateful for Lenore
Lenore carries an undercurrent of advocacy—for her clients and for vulnerable people who deserve clarity, dignity, and a fair shake. She’s practical without being cynical, firm without being cold. In my mom’s words, “She’s a good egg.”
Conversations like this remind me why I built Next Best Home: to bring clarity and confidence to families and the professionals who serve them. It’s about pairing trusted guidance with practical tools, and building a community that protects its own.
Connect with Lenore:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenorewilkasrealtor/
Website: https://wilkasgroup.com/
