Answers by Joann Impellizine

I believe holding an open house is a plus especially for a new listing. Besides having an open door to let prospective buyers in without going through scheduling and the back and forth that sometimes comes with conflicting schedules, the marketing that is done to announce the open house also hits prospective buyers and can lead to them scheduling a future showing even if they don't come through on that day. If your agent is willing to spend their time welcoming people to take a look at an open house I am sure they believe that it is a great way to get you some traffic that will lead to your home being sold.

I would recommend being upfront about the existing special assessment rather than waiting for it to come up later in the transaction. Buyers considering a condo are going to want to understand not only the monthly common charges, but also any current assessments and other significant financial obligations associated with the unit. The proposed assessment is a little different since it hasn't been approved yet. I would discuss with your Florida real estate agent and attorney what disclosure is required, but I would want a buyer to have the available information about something significant that is actively being considered by the association. As far as the remaining $8,400 assessment, I wouldn't automatically reduce the asking price or decide in advance to pay it off. How that balance is handled can become part of the negotiation. Depending on the market and the buyer, paying the remaining balance at closing could be attractive, but I would first price the condo based on its market value and then evaluate the assessment as part of the overall offer.

I’m a Realtor in Staten Island, NY, and I have handled home sales involving divorced sellers who were not communicating with one another. My recommendation would be to interview agents who have experience working with parties in this type of situation. The right agent should be comfortable communicating with each owner separately, keeping both parties equally informed, and remaining neutral and professional throughout the transaction. Clear communication and documentation are especially important when the sellers are not communicating directly with each other. I would also recommend making the agent aware of the relevant terms of the divorce decree and involving your respective attorneys whenever legal questions or disagreements arise. The Realtor’s role is to successfully manage the sale of the property, not to mediate issues between the parties. With an experienced agent and a clear communication process established from the beginning, a sale like this can absolutely be handled successfully even when the owners do not communicate directly. Wishing you the best of luck on you search for a realtor and a smooth home sale!