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Divorcing Real Estate....A Game of "Gotcha!"

By
Real Estate Agent with EXP Realty 414-525-0563 57026-90 Broker

divorce  Divorce can present some interesting challenges in real estate....for both the Sellers and the Listing Agent(s). One of the more recent and most devastating moves in this game has been what we'll call the "Behind Closed Doors Financing." Or perhaps...not financing.   In most marriages, the bill paying, inclusive of the mortgage payments falls to one spouse. One person is responsible for healthy credit scores....staying on top of the family finances...timely credit card payments, current taxes...etc.  The other spouse may well be....and often is...oblivious to this process...they know that the heat is on, the lights work, there is food in the fridge and gas in the car so everything must be fine...Or IS it ?

   We have taken extensive training in Divorce....the communication....and more often, the lack thereof....and are the only Realtors in Wisconsin with a unique set of educational qualifications...REDS (Real Estate Divorce Specialists) CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Experts) and members of the Institute of Luxury Home Marketing.

     One of the conditions we have encountered recently is the "financial spouse" who has been the bill payer, credit keeper, checkbook balancer....has become intentionally absent minded when it has come to paying mortgage payments. Ms/Mr. "Old Reliable" has decided to put the money away for the "great escape" from the marriage...paying the divorce lawyer, the security deposit on a new apartment, etc.  The late notices are hidden from the other spouse....and months later foreclosure looms when the lender becomes impatient when requests for payment have gone unanswered.

     The end of a relationship is never pleasant...the entanglement of real estate, support payments, the anger and emotion that are woven throughout this tumultuous time require seasoned professionals on many levels...legally, financially, emotionally and with real estate...homestead and investments.  If you are in southeastern Wisconsin and are divorcing, call the couple that can offer assistance with your real estate...give you an honest evaluation of your real estate and recommend other professionals to help you through this difficut time in your life. Sally K. and David L. Hanson have the education and successful experience in this area to help you take the next positive step in beginning a new chapter in your life.

Posted by

Sally K. & David L. Hanson, ABR, CDPE, CSS, e-Pro,ILHM, REDS


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Comments (86)

Winston Heverly
Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA
GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

Great advice, I don't see to many Realtors with that designation. Its also sad to see this need in this society or any other.

Nov 28, 2011 04:41 PM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Sally & David.  Great post.  How ture it is most of the time!

Nov 28, 2011 09:56 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Often when we start a transaction with a divorcing couple...we can see the differences and why the personalities would not mesh....must have been some chemistry there at one time....one that had eleven children...didn't understand that !

Nov 29, 2011 12:05 AM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

I had no idea that there were Real Estate Divorce Specialists, but it doesn't surprise me at all.

Nov 29, 2011 12:58 AM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Seventy comments on a non-featured post? Wow! I pushed the suggest button but that's usually a death knell for any post considering my popularity with the ActiveRain staff. However, I know a couple of people who have a reblog itch at the tips of their fingers....

Nov 29, 2011 01:00 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Since we do so much divorce work...it is our educational obligation to learn as much as we can to help as much as we can.

Nov 29, 2011 01:02 AM
Jerri McCombs, Broker/Owner
Dogwood Real Estate Services - Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville Living

OMG and I thought Foreclosures and short sales were bad...

Nov 29, 2011 01:24 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

I guess we are so used to it...that the combined drama of a divorce and short sale have become the norm...how scary is that !

Nov 29, 2011 01:49 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Sally & David - I have helped several couples sell while getting a divorce and it can be a messy.  On top of that I had one of the spouses pass away while under contract making a messy situation even messier with no will.

Nov 29, 2011 01:53 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

Suggested. I also was surprised at the response this post generated but no feature. What a mess when you're involved with a divorce and foreclosure. Good info about the designation.

Nov 29, 2011 04:05 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

We didn't know till this post that there was a difference between a feature and a newsletter inclusion...

Nov 29, 2011 04:08 AM
Pat & Steve Pribisko
Keller Williams Greater Cleveland West - Westlake, OH

Excellent post.  The really sad part is when there are children & the parents neglect the needs of the children.

Nov 29, 2011 08:57 AM
David Evans
RE/MAX TOWN AND COUNTRY - Cumming, GA
HUD NLB Cumming GA

Neglect and truth are there in all relationships, the key is open communication and awareness to the unspoken... Setting lines and questions directed to good communication can be a good way to keep all on same page.

Nov 29, 2011 12:36 PM
Dawn A Fabiszak
Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO
The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

Sally & David ~ divorce is and can be a nasty situation when trying to sell a home.    There are lots of surprises that pop up.  I have never heard of the REDS certification.

Nov 29, 2011 02:47 PM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Hi Sally and David,

I didn't know there was a designation for this but it's good to know.  I can imagine the situation you described happening as sad as it seems. 

Thanks for the heads up!

Nov 29, 2011 03:28 PM
Edward Perez
Sothbey's International Realty - Hoboken, NJ

Hi guys,

I always say that real estate reflects life, the good the bad and yes, the ugly too! 

We're there for the singles that get married, the couples that have children....and then more children then need to be closer to the school.  We're there when they get relocated to another part of the country.  We're there when parents want to move closer to their children and when children want to move further from their parents ;)

We're there when businesses are started and expanded and sometimes closed.

We're there for their first home, sometimes for their last and yes, we're there for the all to often divorce.

Real estate does reflect life!

Keep living large my friends :)

 

Nov 30, 2011 10:37 AM
John DL Arendsen
CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA
Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

OK, if the two of you are already divorced I just might be tempted to retain your services. LOL! Great post. I'd love to take the same course you took so I can saddle up in Cali.

Nov 30, 2011 03:04 PM
Cheryl Dukes . . . . . Intown Atlanta
Guaranteed Offer for your Home - eXp realty - Atlanta, GA

Real Estate Divorce Specialist? -- Really? -- What will we think of next? You 2, Sally and David Hanson, are very creative. Thanks for sharing your post - it seems to be quite popular.

Nov 30, 2011 03:10 PM
Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

hmmm...and we just refinanced into a lower rate...I wonder...does she have ulterior motives?

Dec 04, 2011 03:07 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Hope not Mike....check the checkbook !

Dec 04, 2011 03:16 AM