When divorcing homeowners must sell the marital home, it is not uncommon for them to want to hire a friend, relative, or the agent who sold them their home to be their listing agent.
The house in a divorce is often the largest asset, the largest debt — and the most emotionally charged in the case. The listing agent holds a mighty responsibility and the selection thereof should not be an afterthought. If your clients or opposing counsel cannot agree on a listing agent — or if they insist on using anyone other than a CDRE — I strongly urge them to conduct a proper interview.
Here is a list of 12 questions that will uncover who is right for the job:
1. How do you settle disputes when the parties can’t agree?
2. How will you communicate with us?
3. What is your protocol if one spouse wants a lockbox and the other does not?
4. How do you handle repairs that need to be made if there’s a disagreement about who’s going to pay?
5. What is your protocol if the out-spouse wants access to the property?
6. What training do you have in handling high-conflict cases in family law?
7. What is your protocol for access, meetings, and communication if there are restraining orders in place?
8. Do you represent a Buyer on your divorce listings?
9. Do you buy divorce listings as investments?
10. If there’s only one spouse on title, what is your protocol for involving the non-titled spouse in the sale?
11. How do you ensure that distribution of proceeds follows the court order?
12. Do you disclose to Buyers, agents, or in any advertising that this is a divorce listing?
You can also click here and either print out the list of questions or forward it to your clients and opposing counsel.
The reality is, divorce real estate requires highly specialized training most Realtors don’t have, yet Certified Divorce Real Estate Experts are the most qualified real estate professionals in the industry. We have the training, skills, and processes to address every one of these issues.
Comentarios