People get married for a variety of reasons. Love, companionship, dreams of having a family, fear of being alone are some of the reasons - and lend credence to the fact that emotions are what drives people into marriage.
Rarely do two people walk down the aisle for business reasons. And yet, upon the execution of a marriage license, a business arrangement, among other things, is exactly what the two people have entered into.
So it's no surprise that when there is a breakdown in the marriage, we are dealing with people motivated by emotional reasons, rather than objective business reasoning. When we relate this to "the house," there are often competing interests, with underlying emotions of vitriol, betrayal, and revenge that affect one's ability to make decisions, and often clouds their perception reality.
When a Realtor gets involved in this type of situation, it's important to understand what's at stake. Underneath all of the hurt and pain, are two people that will emerge and embark on new paths. The length of time and ability it takes for them to reach new heights and formulate new dreams is in direct correlation to the financial toll that the divorce itself took.
The work that we do as Realtors isn't necessarily for the moment, but for their future. As I type this email, I'm looking at a referral that just came into my office moments ago - I will be the 3rd Realtor on this case. What is the story there? Why did it fail to sell twice before, totaling 230 days on the market, when 17 days is the average?
I haven't met this couple yet but I can assure you that there will be no one more vested in their financial stake than I will be. I'm glad they called, because I know they're in good hands now. While they may not be able to see their future, or correlate today's actions with their quality of life in the next five years, I will. It's my job to have their back and do right by them, at a time when they can't think or see for themselves right now.
And when we get the call that escrow has finally closed, my work will be done. I will wish them well, and hope their future is filled with peace and happiness once again.
"When one door closes, another opens..." ~ Alexander Graham Bell