When I first started selling real estate in Highlands County, I took a listing from a couple going through a divorce. I knew the wife from our local bank and had met her husband at our daughter's school festival. Both parties were still talking with each other but there were, of course, hurt feelings. I was able to price the home well below market value while netting them a few thousand each. The very next day, I had multiple offers. To make things even more interesting, this was my very first transaction and my broker was out of town that weekend - but that's beside the point.
The trouble started after we had a bilateral contract. The wife asked me if I knew where she could get moving boxes. I had a bunch of fold up boxes in our garage at the time so I brought them over. The next time I talked to the husband, he accused me of taking his soon to be ex-wife's side, evidently, because I had given her moving boxes. I offered him moving boxes as well, he declined. Throughout the entire transaction all the way to the day of closing, I was constantly accused to taking the wife's side. We closed with each side receiving $2,500 and he still complained that I had given her moving boxes.
After I teamed up with my husband, we listed a 3 bedroom home in Sebring, which was ordered to be sold by the sellers divorce decree. I knew we need a different approach! Being a female, I dealt with the wife, while my husband dealt with her soon to be exhusband. Both parties did not speak with each other. We had to reduce the price several times until we started seeing activities. Each price reduction was accompanied by the wife saying "He's never going to agree to a reduction!" and her husband saying "She's not ever going to reduce the price!" Everything worked out fine though and without accusations. We closed the deal a few weeks ago.
It is hard to get a couple to work towards a common goal (sell their home) when they are going through a divorce. If I didn't work as a team with my husband, I would team up with an agent in my office to co-list, co-negotiate, co-frustrate and co-close a transaction with divorcing sellers.
Andrea & Darrin Mills
Lic. Realtors & Certified Short Sale Professional
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