Archive for December, 2009

One of the reasons a home goes on the market for sale is when a family, couple, etc. are getting a divorce or separating.  These “displaced families”  often let the heat and anger of the relationship interfere with the business decision of  having to sell their home.  And, in most cases, they do not want to sell the home so that adds to the equation. In my 25 years I have had my share of these listings. I love the challenge of turning a negative situation into a positive one.  Again, communication is key.  Sometimes these people aren’t talking to each other so I become the middle person for negotiations.

I had a couple a number of years ago going through a divorce.  They were so angry with each other but on the advice of their attorney were told that neither of them should leave the house.  This was before cell phones so he had his room and his own phone line, and she had her room with her own phone line.  I had to call him to talk then I had to call her in the next room to repeat the same thing.  They were so angry, the kitchen even had a dividing line with his stuff on one side and hers on another!  Quite a challenge. I constantly had to reassure each of them that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and today I still keep in touch with them both and they have moved on and are very happy (separately of course).

Often these people have different attorneys giving them different advice.  When there is money involved all bets are off. It is important for a realtor to keep focused and advise their clients with the utmost sensitivity and consideration.  Sometimes the clients cannot agree on one realtor.  He wants the one he chooses, she wants he one she chooses.  They CAN have two Realtors who can share the listing to appease the clients.  If the clientsagree it is helpful for the realtor to be able to also communicate with the attorneys. Sometimes the clients keep information from you.  The last divorce listing I had the husband stopped paying the mortgage six months before the sale and didn’t tell anyone. This resulted in a lein on the property from the town for non payment of taxes, sewer, etc as well as the start of foreclosure proceedings by the lender. A tax search and a little due diligence on my part uncovered this and although the closing was delayed, it did finally close.

This can be a painful time but with time and patience a realtor can make this experience as painless as possible to help the clients get to the next stage of their lives.

Happy Holidays!  If you are thinking of buying or selling it is important to know that this time of year can be very active or very slow.  Most Realtors will tell you that it is very slow and that you should wait til after the holidays to list or buy a home.  Not true!

25 years ago I sold my very first house in real estate on Christmas Eve!  It was in my home town of Glastonbury, Connecticut.  My mom referred a listing to me for the daughter of a friend she had worked with when she worked for the Board of Education.  Not the easiest listing I will admit.  Back then there was no Internet, no cell phones, no fax machines, no computers to speak of!  So the ad went in the local paper.  Got a call from a soon to be local police woman in town.  They needed to live in town for her to work there.  Lisa was so nice but they lived 45 minutes away in Enfield.  I went out of my area to list their Enfield house and sure enough got a call on that ad within a week.

So I sold my second home in real estate on New Year’s Eve! Police officer Lisa arrived at the New Years Party we were at in town while on duty to sign the contract! Patrol car lights flashing for effect! I will never forget their family. They were great!  All this with no fax, cell, Internet or computer.  Just good old fashioned marketing!

Not any more!  Remember the really serious buyers  are out now.  So if your home is listed and you get a request for a showing this is probably a very serious buyer!  Waiting til after the new year is what everyone else is doing.  Sellers, your competition is low right now so take advantage  of your increased chances for a sale!  Think of how gorgeous your home looks all decked out for the Holidays!