Navigating Divorce? How to Choose the Right Realtor®

If you’re going through a divorce, no one needs to tell you how painful and stressful the experience can be. When part of the proceedings requires you to sell your house, the situation gets even more challenging. For one, it can feel like navigating a field of legal landmines. Before all is said and done, you will have to settle on a fair and equitable division of your assets, including your marital home.

Secondly, you and your former partner may have conflicting ideas on when and how to sell your property. Disagreements on your strategy and timeline can cause tensions to run high, even if every other aspect of your separation is amicable.

It’s critical to have a knowledgeable and empathetic real estate agent to ease your burden while helping you get the best possible outcome. In this post, we’ll show you what to look for to ensure your Realtor® has the necessary expertise to handle such a sensitive transaction.

1. Extensive Experience

Most homeowners want to make the most out of their sale. Earning the highest possible amount grants you more purchasing power when searching for your next home. Maximizing your sale becomes even more important when you have to split the proceeds with your former partner. 

That’s why selling during a divorce is no time to take a chance on an inexperienced real estate agent, especially when the market is already tough enough. You’ll want a true industry expert who has successfully handled a wide variety of situations and in every type of market condition imaginable. If they have helped other clients going through the same thing you are, there’s an excellent chance they will be able to deliver results for you as well.

2. A Proven Track Record

The difficulty in choosing the right Realtor® is that there are so many options. Currently, TREBB reports that there are over 73,000 real estate professionals in the GTA, and many of them proudly claim to be “the best.” How do you narrow it down to the actual “best?” Consider the following questions:

• How long has the real estate team been in business?
• Do they have a long list of testimonials from clients in different types of situations?
• How many transactions have they handled in the past 12 months?
• Are they up-to-date with the current market, and do they work full-time in the industry?

You can also assess their track record in terms of the average days on the market (DOM) for their listings. A history of fast transactions indicates that the Realtor® offers effective marketing strategies and a proven sales process. Homes that sell quickly typically earn the highest sale price, which is essential when you are dividing assets after your divorce.

Are you facing a different challenge when selling your home? The resources below might help:

• When Is The Time Right To Sell Your Parents’ Home?
• My House Didn’t Sell. Now What Should I Do?
• Advice For Seniors Selling Their Family Home

3. In-Depth Market Knowledge 

One of the first pieces of advice you’ll encounter is to choose a real estate agent who knows your local market. This is essential because real estate trends as a whole don’t always reflect every neighbourhood.

Your Realtor® doesn’t necessarily have to be your next-door neighbour. However, they must be well-versed in local trends and how much homes similar to yours are selling for. Insight into these nuances affects your entire selling strategy, from setting an optimal price point to marketing your property to the most qualified buyers. 

4. Comprehensive Home Preparation

The presentation of your home is one of the most critical selling components. You want to prepare each room in a way that creates an instant and lasting first impression on anyone who steps inside.

This may involve a few minor tweaks, like cleaning and painting. Or it could be a complete home makeover. Your real estate agent should have comprehensive plans in place to make your home ready for qualified buyers. 

In addition to effective preparations, a knowledgeable Realtor® will have a marketing system in place to generate maximum interest in your home. All strategies align for the ultimate purpose of securing top dollar once your sale is finalized. 

5. Full-Service Support

Selling your house quickly and for the highest possible price involves a lot of preparation before your listing goes live. The task of cleaning, decluttering, and updating a home can be overwhelming for anyone. Getting it all done while in the midst of a divorce is especially taxing, and you may need extra support to get the best possible results. 

Some real estate services will give you a consultation and let you know what to do before your house goes on the market. However, a full-service team like Thompson Sells can do it all for you, including:

• Bringing in professional cleaners to thoroughly clean and declutter your home
• Managing any home improvement projects that are likely to result in a higher price
• Staging your home for maximum impact on potential buyers

In the event that you no longer reside in the home, a full-service Realtor® eases much of your anxiety and ensures a seamless selling experience. 

Should you downsize after your divorce? Here are a few points to consider:

• The Many Benefits of Done-For-You Downsizing
• Essential Decisions To Make Before You Downsize
• Is It Better To Buy Or Rent After Downsizing?

6. Neutral Third-Party Expertise

Divorce can be contentious, and it’s imperative that you work with a Realtor® who you can trust not to take sides. Instead, they should consistently behave in a professional manner that works in the best interest of both you and your former partner. This is just one of the many reasons your real estate agent should not be a friend, family member, or a friend of a friend.

Instead, look for a team with an excellent reputation that doesn’t have ties to either partner. This doesn’t just ensure fairness to both sides but can help avoid legal pitfalls such as conflicts of interest. 

7. Empathy and Compassion

Even the best real estate professional in the world cannot promise that any transaction will be easy and stress-free. Selling during a divorce usually means the stakes are even higher, and the emotions are all the more intense. During this time, skills and expertise are critical to get you the results you need. However, it’s equally important that your real estate expert treats you with compassion and respect as you navigate one of the most challenging and emotionally charged events of your life. 

When you find a Realtor® with this perfect combination of expertise, dedication to service, market knowledge, and compassion, you can be sure that you are well on your way to a new beginning.

Do you have questions about navigating the real estate market during a divorce or other life transition? We are here to help. Reach out today to contact@thompsonsells.com or call 416-450-5900 to take the first step.