Finding and choosing the right real estate agent or Realtor is even more important now, when you’re getting a divorce, or filing for a legal separation, than it was when you originally bought your family home, investment property, and/or vacation property.
Having a non-biased, divorce process knowledgeable, patient agent can make everyone’s life less stressful. *
These are a few search routes you could take:
· An agent who is a relative or friend. The upside can be you don’t offend the otherwise qualified agent. The downside can turn into, at minimum, trust issues. Each spouse needs to consider, and answer for themselves:
o Will this person intentionally or unintentionally eventually ‘take sides’?
o How will working with them affect your short, mid, and long term relationship with them and/or your spouse?
o Do you want or need this person knowing your personal business? (This includes looking into and judging multiple and widely varying areas such as; your closets, shower, landscaping, organization skills, your home’s maintenance, willingness / unwillingness to involve your spouse in decisions over personal possessions or costs of selling your home, etc.)
o What is the communication level each of you currently has, and/or will have, after the divorce with the person?
o Will both of you be able to speak openly (and equally) to them?
o Can each of you hear your agent’s opinion with ease? This will include; accepting general advice as well as specific advice and guidance on packing and staging, pricing and terms provided in an offer, moving, cleaning and maintenance before and during the sale, explanations regarding closing costs, etc.
· A time honored way of locating and hiring an agent is by asking family and friends for recommendations. This option can be less perilous than the above:
o If you take a moment to state to the family member or friend who is an agent or Realtor that you and your spouse look forward to keeping your relationship with them in tact and are looking for a neutral party. Professionals with divorce process experience will understand and honor your declaration. They will most likely identify an agent they feel will be a ‘good fit’. (If privacy is important to you, -- just a reminder; the sharing of information between these two people may take place.)
o It can provide you with insight to the recommended agent’s ability / willingness to communicate with you and your spouse in the (now) needed manner.
o The recommended agent’s professional abilities. This should include local market knowledge, comprehensive, analytical reports, negotiation skills, and, if known, the agent’s divorce process experience.
· With technology at most of our fingertips, the Internet can also be an alternative to seeking a neutral, divorce proceedings experienced, agent:
o Once you have selected your candidates, along side the traditional questions regarding experience, the interview process should include (at least) these questions:
§ Do you see the selling of a divorcing couple’s home the same or different from any other transaction? (Hint: THIS could be the most important question you ask!)
§ If so: How?
§ What is your preferred method of communication?
§ What method of communication do you recommend for couple’s who are no longer speaking, or prefer not to, speak to one another?
§ How are going to keep from ‘taking sides’?
§ What precautions do you take to ensure my privacy?
By taking the time to give thoughtful consideration to what neutral party will best represent both you –and- your spouse’s best interest/s, the stress involved in the selling of one (or more) of your largest assets can be greatly reduced...To discuss your options with Kathryn: Click here. (* Kathryn is 1 of 10 Certified Real Estate Divorce Specialists in all of California.)
