When a relationship ends, the house often becomes more than a property. It carries history, tension, and unfinished conversations. Decisions that should be simple can feel heavy. Communication can be strained or minimal. Sometimes it runs through lawyers. Sometimes it barely runs at all.
In those situations, my role is not to take sides. It is to keep the process intact.
“Sometimes the house is the last tie holding two people together.”
Shannon Murree – Helping you through the transition
Sitting in the Middle, Steadily
Most people I work with in these situations are still in relationship with one another, even as they are trying to move out of it. There is often a mix of grief, frustration, relief, fear, and fatigue. Sometimes both people are reasonable. Sometimes one is further along than the other. Sometimes neither feels ready, but the decision has to be made anyway.
I do not come in to manage people or rush outcomes. I come in to be steady, to listen, and to help move things forward without making it harder than it already is.
That often means slowing things down just enough so they do not fall apart.
Neutrality Is How I Show Care
“Not taking sides is often the most respectful thing you can do and making sure all parties feel heard to be able to get to the next chapter and hurdle. Or, perhaps closure.”
Not taking sides does not mean I am disengaged. It means I am paying attention to both people, equally.
I make sure information is shared evenly. I notice when someone is feeling unheard. I watch for moments where tension starts to creep into decisions that should stay practical. I keep the focus on what needs to happen next, not on who is right.
When people feel respected, even quietly, things tend to soften. The sale becomes less about winning or proving a point and more about getting to the other side.
How I Work With Lawyers
In many of these situations, there is a family lawyer involved. Sometimes both parties have counsel. Sometimes only one does. Either way, I see the lawyer as part of the support structure, not an obstacle.
I work within separation agreements and court orders. I keep communication clear and documented. I do not overstep, give legal advice, or insert myself into strategy. My job is to handle the real estate side cleanly so it does not create more work, cost, or stress for anyone else involved.
“Calm doesn’t erase emotion. It makes space for it.”
Lawyers tend to appreciate that I stay in my lane and keep the process calm.
First-Hand Context
I am a survivor of domestic abuse. Physical abuse in my first marriage. Financial and psychological abuse in my second.
Because of that, I am attuned to power dynamics and emotional undercurrents. I recognise when control, fear, or unresolved hurt starts to show up in practical decisions. I also know how important it is not to personalise those moments or react to them.
I have learned to stay grounded so the situation does not escalate.
I have also spoken publicly about my experience and contributed to Shelter Me, a collaborative book created to support women and children’s shelters. Proceeds from the book go directly toward fundraising and support services.
That work lives quietly alongside my real estate practice. It does not define it, but it shapes how I hold space for people during difficult transitions.
What This Feels Like for Clients
People often tell me they feel calmer after our conversations. Not because everything is resolved, but because there is a sense that someone is holding the centre.
They do not feel pushed. They do not feel judged. They do not feel like they have to perform or explain themselves.
They can just focus on what comes next.
“The goal isn’t winning. It’s getting to the other side.”
Some people come to me because they need to sell a home. Others come because they need someone who can sit in the middle of a difficult chapter without tipping the balance.
When real estate intersects with personal change, how the process feels matters as much as the outcome.
Even if you are only thinking about divorce, unsure which direction things may go, or not yet working with a lawyer, it is okay to ask questions early. Some clarity comes from simply talking things through. I am discreet by nature and treat these conversations with care and confidentiality. If you need a referral to a family lawyer, mediator, or other trusted professional in Barrie or Simcoe County, I can point you in the right direction. No decisions required. Just a quiet conversation, when and if it feels right.
