Going through a divorce is one of the top ten stressors in life according to WebMD. There are so many issues to deal with: children, health insurance, savings, other assets, etc. Your home is often one of the assets that needs to be addressed.  Now is not the time to think with your heart.  It is important to think with your head when it comes to your home.

If neither spouse wants to stay in the home, or if neither can afford to buy out the other, it may be best to put your home on the market and try to get the best price for the home. If you decide to sell your home, here are some steps to take to prepare:

        Pick a real estate agent. Pick an experienced, neutral agent. Avoid a family friend or relative that may have a bias towards one side or the other. Look for reviews on Google, Zillow, or the Better Business Bureau websites to find an experienced agent. Pick an agent that has exceptional communication skills.

        Settle on an asking price. Your agent will provide fair market data for comparable homes that have sold in your area to help you agree on a list price for your home.

        Prepare the home to show. Move-in ready homes show best and get sold quicker. Find some tips for Getting Your Home Market Ready at https://rightsizerealty.com/getting-your-home-market-ready/

        Dividing the cash. Your divorce attorney can help couples decide how the proceeds from the sell of the home will be divided. The escrow company handling the closing can distribute the funds accordingly.

Divorce is never easy! Compound that with selling your home and moving to another home, you have intensified the stress level significantly. As someone who has personally experienced splitting assets and selling a home due to a divorce, believe that “this too shall pass.” And it will!

References:

Causes of Stress (2020). Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/causes-of-stress#1

Doskow, E. (2020). Selling the House When You Divorce. Retrieved from: https://www.divorcenet.com/resources/divorce/marital-property-division/selling-house-when-you-divorce#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20options%20you,it%20and%20divide%20the%20proceeds.&text=If%20neither%20spouse%20wants%20to,best%20possible%20price%20for%20it.

Nelson, L. (July 18, 2017). Selling Your House While Going Through a Divorce. My Mortgage Insider. Retrieved from: https://mymortgageinsider.com/selling-a-house-while-going-through-a-divorce/