Three years ago, when Stephanie Hofman began working with a couple who was separated, the Highland Park real estate agent had no idea that the experience would lead her to developing her niche: divorce.
“I realized that transaction was different than any other transaction I had done,” said Hofman, who works for Coldwell Banker. “Divorcing clients have different needs and therefore require a different skill set, so I became interested in understanding what I would need to do to help those clients.”
Hofman began networking with divorce attorneys to obtain referrals, and last year, she earned a certification as a real estate divorce specialist, which she said gives her an extra level of education into the specific needs of divorcing couples.
“There are only seven real estate agents in Illinois who have the certification,” said Hofman, a Brandeis University graduate, who prior to becoming a realtor spent seven years working in the advertising and marketing fields. “It gave me a more in-depth understanding of divorce that I don’t think I would otherwise have.”
Hofman said when working with a separated couple, it’s important to stay neutral and professional.
“I get a lot of venting from both sides, and my job is to listen and not take sides,” she said. “I am a hired professional for the purpose of achieving a goal, which is only one element of their entire divorce.”
She also explained the importance of communicating and working well with other parties the couple might have hired, including their divorce attorney, financial neutral, or mediator.
“You have to remember that you are only one member of this divorce team and you have to be able to collaborate in the best interest of the couple to get them the best possible outcome,” she said.
Dr. Felissa Kreindler was Hofman’s first divorcing client in 2011, and said she interviewed six realtors before choosing Hofman.
“She was bright, personable and non-judgmental,” Kreindler said. “She was very calm and worked well with us, even thought the two of us weren’t working well together.”
Kreindler said selling a home while going through a divorce comes with lots of emotion, including resentment and anger, and because of that, the couple doesn’t always have a common goal.
“There is a lot of disappointment and grief,” she said.
Hofman, who is also a volunteer for the non-profit divorce organization, The Lilac Tree is not divorced. She lives in Highland Park with her husband, Alan and their two children.
She said she has always wanted to be a real estate agent, but was waiting for the right time: when her children got older and more independent.
“Even though it was the worst market in history, I wasn’t going to let it derail my plans,” said Hofman, who in 2009 won “Rookie of the Year” in her office. “My mantra was ‘Do something every day to move my business forward.’ Anything I could do to enhance my knowledge of the industry or put me in front of more people, I did it.”
“The market was terrible and the divorce was terrible, but it was the best it could have been for the situation,” Kreindler said. “She was very fair and she did a great job.”
