What is a mediator and what is he or she needed for?

A mediator is an independent and neutral person who guides parties through mediation. To explain this briefly, a mediator is an impartial arbitrator.

A mediator is many times cheaper than a lawyer and is very often used before divorces in order to achieve a constructive solution for all parties involved in advance. The mediator, who must take a neutral position, asks specific questions to identify the problem of the parties involved and ultimately mediation should lead to a constructive solution that the parties themselves work out.

No apportioning of blame, but coming to terms with the conflict

In mediation, it is usually not just the current problem that is worked out, but what actually lies behind it, what led to the problem. It is not about assigning blame to one person, but about working through the conflict. As the parties ultimately work this out themselves, the solution/result of mediation is often much more sustainable.

I myself completed a one-year training programme to become a mediator with a lawyer around 10 years ago. The course culminates in an oral and written examination. This training helps me enormously in my job as a property agent.

Taking time for both sides

As we often have to deal with divorce issues when selling property and there are often disputes between the parties before and during the sale, diplomacy is the order of the day. Neither party should get the feeling that I am representing the other person. Everyone wants to feel understood and this requires a lot of dialogue. And this takes time!
But I'm happy to take them, because then the starting point is just right and the trust of the contracting parties is very important to me in sales. After all, word of mouth still works best!

Thanking a neutral person

On the other hand, I am also pleased when I see how positively the climate suddenly changes when all parties involved can deal with each other neutrally again. I have also witnessed disputes between buyers and sellers shortly before the contract was signed, when everything was already settled, which almost led to the sale being cancelled.

Here again, it is a great advantage to act as a neutral person in order to neutralise the emotions and get everything back on track.

Ultimately, this mood is also transferred to the buyer, and it's best if they don't realise it!