Divorce
In 1998, I was the buyer agent for a nice couple looking at a terrific home slightly above the price they wished to pay. After the seller allowed us in for a look, we found a house half empty -- closets completely cleaned out, a first floor den devoid of any furniture, pictures missing from hooks on the wall, and a very forlorn owner on the kitchen phone virtually sobbing to a friend. The list price was $220,000. We offered them less than $170,000 and ended up settling on a sales price of $172,000. A few relatively small details cost the divorcing seller almost $50,000, or just under 25% of their asking price. I asked my buyer what he thought the house was worth after the closing (which was delayed for over a month while the sellers tried to raise the money to pay off the mortgage -- the sales price was not enough). His answer -- $250,000.
"When my ex and I were splitting up, we couldn't agree on a real estate agent. I wanted mine, she wanted hers. It was hell when we couldn't get an offer with her aunt. The next time around, we went in another direction and listed with Phil Faranda. Not only did he sell the house quickly, the whole process went ahead far smoother than an agent from one or another's side. We would recommend Phil to anyone that has to go through this unfortunate process. He got the job done without taking sides." -- R.L., Rochester, NY
Additional resources in this difficult time can be found at:
