Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert

Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert

Hello, and welcome back. I am Gloria Miller, Team Lead at People 1st Realty Group - mom, investor, and Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert. 

By now, you know a lot about me, from my parenting to my real estate career. Today, I would like to share Ilumni Institute and my certification as a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert. 

What is a CDRE, you say? 

A Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert works with attorneys and handles selling real property in family law cases as a neutral, independent third party. If you have never heard of this, that's perfectly normal: most people haven't either. We are a small group of individuals that work with attorneys and mutual clients and can also be called to testify in court about our opinion on the real estate or sale process in the divorce. 

When I learned about the Ilumni Institute, I was thrilled to find a way to serve my clients to the highest levels. With personal experience in divorce and real estate, this next step is a natural aspect to consider. It was only a short time until I realized their expectations and requirements were far greater than any other training or certification I had done in real estate. This institution required ability, skill, knowledge, and three years of experience, but more than anything, a high moral character. 

I had only been in real estate for one year when I found out about the Ilumni Institute and knew I had to wait for the next year to apply. When the next year came around, I applied as soon as possible. I then discovered that you needed three years (not two as I had thought) of experience and 45 transactions to qualify. I had been in RE for only two years but met their other requirements. I was so intrigued that I called to beg someone for an opportunity, and they invited me to apply. After interviews with multiple people, three recommendation letters, and a one-hour interview with an attorney, I was done with the application! A month later, I was informed that I would be the youngest in the industry to undergo the selection process for the Ilumni institute. Out of 115 people that applied for the spot, 15 of us made it to the certification. I was ecstatic! 

Why does this even matter? 

If you have ever been through a divorce or even the purchase/ sale of real estate, you know that people rarely agree on much. As one described, a divorce is two good people going through the most challenging time. Divorce exacerbates whatever relationship was already bad enough to part ways. One party often wants a divorce, and the situation blindsides the other. When you add this to making decisions about anything else, you get disagreement, distrust, and disengagement, even when it benefits both parties. 

Where is the value of a CDRE?

As a seller going through a divorce and trying to sell real estate property, the value of a CDRE comes in immediately to reduce friction between spouses deciding on many unknown aspects. If you have ever sold a home, you know that it can be scary and frustrating enough on its own, but trying to do it with a conflict between spouses will often end the process with higher attorney fees and hard feelings between people that were once best friends. A CDRE equipped with conflict resolution and a deep understanding of the market can assist in selling the home and advise the sellers without bias from a neutral third-party perspective. 

When situations have escalated, a CDRE can be appointed by attorneys or a judge in the family legal matter. The CDRE is not committed to either of the parties but to the sale of the home with a neutral third-party, unbiased opinion of condition and price. The CDRE facilitates negotiations with buyers and divorcing couples to move the process forward without requiring attorneys' calls and fees to add to the stress. Attorneys can focus on everything else the divorce process entails without worrying about open houses, repairs needed, or disagreements on the sales process. 

If you are an attorney and have dealt with issues over the title, deed lines, or solar panels, you know this differs from where you want to spend your time. A CDRE is a resource for attorneys about the property, liens, basic lender rules like the 6/36, and even historical property valuations.

A Certified Divorce Real Estate expert can help facilitate every aspect of the sale of real estate in a divorce situation and allow every other party to focus on what is essential during their most challenging time. 

I'd love to hear from you if you have questions or comments concerning the process! Call me or email me with any questions or concerns you may have. My phone number is 254-727-8885, or email me at gloriammrealty@gmail.com.