In our market in southeastern Wisconsin, the pricing for a luxury home begins at $500,000. Wisconsin is also a community property state...making the division of property "equal." There are ways that divorces are settled to make the most sense....one spouse gets all of this and none of that. The second home 
and investments may equal the equity in the primary residence, etc. That is the job of the financial advisor or attor
ney to determine. It is our job to determine the value of the real estate...in some cases to sell it and in other cases for one spouse to keep it or buy out the other. Couples who have luxury homes often find the reality of property division a difficult one. The luxury they knew but in half means a drastic change in lifestyle. It likely means a different kind of car the next time around, a smaller house in a different neighborhood...and the proceeds that they thought they had can be diminished by legal fees, rent of another residence until the divorce is final....and the list goes on chipping away at the luxury lifestyle.
If they hire "the right" Realtor ...THEN they will get the price that they "deserve" and more equity to divide. The "market decides" is a hard concept when it leaves a hole in a lifestyle that they once enjoyed and now compromise and downsize have replaced that with the necessity of property division.
We are obligated to be honest....about the price ....we illustrate it to both members of the couple ...their lawyers and sometimes a court commissioner or Family Court Judge. Letting go of Luxury.....at least for now ....is difficult...and we work to advise and get the highest and best possible price to allow each member of the couple to begin their fresh start.
If you or anyone you know and likely you do know someone who is divorcing...in Southeastern Wisconsin, Call the Hansons...the only Realtors certified in divorce having bichesuccessfully completed hundreds of divorce related transactons. Experience in this delicate and sometimes emotionally charged niche makes the transaction go much more smoothly. We would be honored to be of service.
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