About Maggie

Why Use a Divorce Real Estate Professional?

Whether you are separating or divorcing, this can be an overwhelming, emotional and scary time. I know firsthand what it’s like to face the uncertainty that the breakup of a marriage brings. I understand what it’s like to lose your “normal” and the need to be heard.

It was my own journey through divorce that made me realize there are extra skill sets and knowledge required when it comes to selling a matrimonial home. A divorce sale is not a typical real estate sale. I’ve seen first-hand how difficult it is for the untrained Realtor® to effectively manage the sale of a distressed home. I knew I wanted to serve divorcing couples better.

So, I did some research into divorce real estate training and decided to pursue one of the most comprehensive programs available, the Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE™). I received 50 hours of divorce and real estate education taught by a specialized faculty consisting of judges and attorneys, plus 12 weeks of online classes, and an additional year of learning labs and online training.

With this training I understand the family law legal process as well as divorce lending guidelines. I am trained to remain neutral and unbiased and can minimize the chaos and costs when helping a couple in the sale of their biggest asset.

An agent who does not understand the dynamics and sensitivities going on in divorce can escalate conflict, essentially “pouring salt into emotional wounds” by not understanding the importance of communication and neutrality.

Having a Realtor® experienced with divorce situations is also important when it comes to dealing with your lawyers, and sometimes even the courts. Time is money and an inexperienced real estate agent may end up involving your lawyers more than necessary as unfamiliar situations arise, causing extra billable hours for you.

The bottom line is this is not a typical real estate transaction. Non-specialized Realtors® will apply traditional techniques and processes in a divorce transaction, and that simply doesn’t work. It can lead to:

• conflict escalation
• legal fees getting out of hand
• and could impact your well-being.

There is no other real estate scenario where working with the right professional is more important. 

When you work with me, you can be guaranteed a Realtor® whose core values are:

• Neutrality
• Unbiased approach
• Compassion
• Open and honest communication
• Skilled negotiation

My personal goal is to have a positive impact on divorcing families, the community, and broken hearts because I value acceptance, hard work, and self-fulfillment.

Every situation is different; every family is different. The first steps are truly the hardest and I’m here to make a difference in the lives of divorcing families.

Maggie Horsburgh

CDRE®, ABR®, SREA®, REALTOR®