Simple Divorce Advice

In our experience, when we are working with divorcing/divorced couples in real estate, often because there has been a “loss of control” over the relationship part of their lives….one or both members of the couple, try to take control over other parts of their life. The real estate market is beyond the control of either spouse…..or the realtor. The Market determines the price of a home. Sellers want the control…they want to decide the price, the profit, the timing of the sale. They want to feel as though they have power over the future…..and sadly, they do not.

Often, the Realtor is the anger target….the market and divorce….have no face, though the angry voices of both situations are heard shouting lower prices and “button pushing” insults. The Realtor’s position has to be neutral….to interpret the market data based upon reality…not the wishful thinking of the couple. There may not be the windfall of equity to start over and the salable profit of furnishings that cannot be adapted to a smaller home….economic conditions and what the market is willing to pay dictate that outcome.

A Realtor must be willing to spend double the time in some cases where the anger prevents spouses from meeting together to sign listing documents, review offers, return counters. We are fortunate, as a husband and wife team, we can each meet with one member of the couple and each member feels as though they have their own representative in the transaction.

If there have been any agreements made on the division of furnishings, the division of the profits from the sale of items to the buyers….appliances, tools, lawn or other furniture, it is important the Realtor has verification from the lawyers involved, or a copy of the Marital Settlement Agreement to be sure that any money received is sent to the proper person or divided as the court has dictated. Anger can get in the way of truth, assuming who gets paid for what rather than verifying it from an independent source is not a good idea.

A Realtor must listen carefully….remain neutral….and remember the goal is to secure the highest and best price while remaining true to the realistic prices dictated by the market.

Sally K. & David L. Hanson, ABR, CDPE, CSS, e-Pro,ILHM, REDS
REDS (Real Estate Divorce Specialists) CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Experts) and members of the Institute of Luxury Home Marketing.
www.HansonRealEsate.Net

Originally posted: Loss of Control…..Venting Anger, In Divorcing Real Estate

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