Who You Hire Matters, Especially in Divorce Real Estate

Adding to Tricia’s nearly two decades of experience and certifications, She has become a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE).

What is a Certified Divorce Real Estate Agent?

A Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE™) is a REALTOR who has passed a rigorous certification program taught by attorneys, mediators, certified mortgage professionals, real estate professionals, and judicial officers. As a crossover expert between real estate and family law, a CDRE is trained to prevent and resolve real estate disputes that may arise in family law cases. Attorneys and clients can rely on a CDRE to help resolve their case.

The Importance of Neutrality

In a traditional real estate transaction involving a family, the sellers are typically one team united in their objective. When divorce is added into the mix, the sellers may not have the same end goal and may be on hostile terms. Communication is often extremely difficult. Since there are two sides to every story, neutrality becomes exceedingly important. A divorce-trained CDRE always listens to both sides, stays neutral, finds point of leverage, and creates a path to getting the house sold. This is a complex role that traditional real estate agents, lawyers, therapists, family, and friends simply are not trained to navigate.

CDRE vs. Traditional Realtor

In contrast to a traditional realtor with no training in the rough waters of divorce, as well as limited skills in dispute resolution and negotiation, a CDRE ensures that the house is sold expeditiously for the highest proceeds and with the least amount of collateral damage – all while delivering excellent communication throughout the transaction and effectively using the legal process, where necessary. Specifically, a CDRE brings the following skillset and training to the table when dealing with divorce:

• Excellent negotiation skills
• Expert knowledge in real estate process, complexities, and contracts
• Qualifies as a Court-Appointed Expert
• Rigorous 12-month divorce real estate training program
• Trained in divorce legal processes
• Ability to testify / Member of DREI™ network of experts with continuing divorce real estate education
• Trained and effective in dispute resolution
• Systematic process for attorney contact
• Coordinates between attorney, court and order-enforcing entity (elisor or law enforcement) for execution of order
• Will testify, write reports, and have systematic documentation of events to submit to the court with proper foundation and credible testimony

Having attended the esteemed Program on Negotiation (PON) at Harvard Law School, Tricia holds a certificate from the Harvard Negotiation Institute, giving her yet another distinct advantage in divorce situations.

Friends and Family

Speaking of friends, it is perfectly natural to choose a friend, a family member, or a member of your sphere to be your agent. You already have a level of trust with them. However, in a divorce situation, it is not in your best interest to hire a friend. Trust is seldom equal, and neutrality goes right out the window. It’s almost guaranteed that your agent friend will have partiality for one spouse over the other.

When choosing an agent, focus on expertise. Just like you might not want to be the first patient a heart surgeon practices on, having an under-experienced divorce agent can add stress to an already fraught situation. You need someone who can stand strong and navigate the rough waters, not someone who will be swept away by the chaos of a divorce.