Your Guide to Selling Your Home Amid a Divorce

Your home is typically the most expensive item you'll purchase in your lifetime. It can also be one, if not the most sentimental of all your possessions.

So, what happens when things don't turn out as planned, and you're faced with life-changing decisions, such as divorce and selling your home?

As with anything, there is a path through the mire and knowledgeable people willing to help you navigate these seemingly uncharted waters.

Keep these tips in mind for handling selling your home amid a divorce.

Know Your Options

The first thing you should know is that you have options and don't necessarily have to sell your house.

Speak with your attorney or an experienced real estate agent on what these options are, including but not limited to the following:

• Having one spouse buy out the legal interest of the other
• Keeping the home and coming to an agreement of one spouse keeping the house until all children come of age and then selling
• Selling the home immediately and splitting up any equity
• Co-owning the home by agreeing on how mortgage payments will be split and paid each month (Keep in mind that with this option, you are still financially attached to your spouse.) 

Make a Plan Ahead of Time

If you decide to move forward with selling your home because of divorce, be prepared by determining ahead of time some key questions. For example: 

• Who gets what?
• What maintenance needs to be done ahead of time to sell the home, and how will you split those expenses? (Work with your agent to get an accurate appraisal of your property.)
• Will either of you live in the house while it's listed?
• Who will pay the mortgage until the house sells?
• Who will prepare and/or attend house showings?

Talking through this with your spouse ahead of time will make the entire process run more smoothly and eliminate any future unknown roadblocks and contention.

Agree On Your Selling Price

As much as you want your home to sell quickly and for the best price in a divorce (and any time), you and your spouse need to agree ahead of time on what price you're willing to settle for regarding the offers you receive.

Deciding on this number beforehand will keep back-and-forth conversations to a minimum and avoid unnecessary delays due to disagreements. When determining this number, have an open and honest discussion with your spouse, your real estate agent, and your divorce attorney so that you are all on the same page. 

Consider Advantageous Timing

The timing of when you sell your home can help ease your burden, so consider the following when you know you'll soon be selling because of an inevitable divorce: 

• Sell your house before your divorce. This will ease the transition of getting used to living in separate homes and spread out some of these significant life-changing events.
• Put your house up for sale as quickly as possible. This will maximize your property's time on the market and potentially draw in more interested buyers.

On Your Side

No matter the reasons for selling or buying a home, Christians Home Crew is on your side to help you succeed in your next life phase and move in the right direction.

Let's connect! 

Reach out today by email

or by calling (701) 373-5155.