Real estate agents target divorcees in down economy

April 19, 2010 - Due to the struggling real estate market, realtors are beginning to tailor their services to individuals such as recent divorcees, who need to purchase a new home or rent an apartment quickly.

In an attempt to reach this market, real estate agents from the New York City-based brokerage firm Luxury Lots and Homes, recently held a gathering for women who were recently divorced, going through a divorce or thinking about getting a divorce, The Real Deal reports. The event - which drew between 70 and 80 guests - cost $40 a head, and was intended to emphasize the positive aspects of divorce and serve as a platform for networking.

Michael Bolla, director of sales for the company, told the news source that the gathering included "a series of speakers…to illustrate ways of preventing women from getting angry about this change in their lives" and show them "how to manifest a positive attitude throughout the process."

While Bolla added that his intent was not to rent out apartments, the event was held in one of the company's available luxury properties, which includes recently renovated units that range from $15,000 to $36,500 per month.

This market could prove quite lucrative to real estate agents, as approximately 41 percent of marriages end in divorce, according to Divorcerate.org.