about their experience working with divorcing couples. You must be able to wholeheartedly trust your Realtor®. Listen to how they talk about previous clients. This is usually an accurate indicator of how you will be treated. Look for discretion and empathy. Most Realtors® work with buyers and sellers who don’t know each other, not with divorcing couples who may or may not be adversarial with one another. The best Realtor® for you will be impartial and understand the complex nature of divorce. Make sure you pick a good listener, preferably one trained to listen, and with extensive experience dealing with couples in a therapeutic capacity. No two divorces are alike, and your Realtor® should be able to help sell your home without taking sides. Very few Realtors® are trained in mediation. Since you and your spouse will both be involved in the selling process, look for an exceptional communicator who knows how to keep everyone on the same wavelength. Suitable agents are focused on being objective and are unaffected by emotional outbursts from either party. They also understand that confidentiality is paramount in divorce situations. Not only do you want a Realtor® with divorce experience who is a good listener/communicator, you also want one who is genuinely concerned about your situation. They should show an interest in helping both parties experience a quick and strong rebound in their finances. They should also be knowledgeable about the local market, in order to price your home correctly from the start.
Here are some traits to look for when hiring an agent.
• Listing price to sale price ratio — What is their success rate for sales? • Current — Is the agent up-to-date with the latest housing trends so he/she can serve you effectively?
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