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Divorcing spouses can work together to sell their home

On Behalf of | Nov 14, 2022 | Real Estate |

You and your soon-to-be ex may not agree on much, but you know neither of you can afford to keep your home on your own. If you’ve agreed to try to get the home sold before your divorce is final, you’re in a better situation than many couples.

Selling a home can strain any marriage. Doing it amidst divorce can be tough. You need to focus on the goal of getting a good price as quickly as possible so you can both take your share of the proceeds and start building your new lives.

Choose an experienced agent you trust

Some real estate agents are specially certified to handle selling a home in a divorce. You don’t necessarily need one of these, but it helps to have an agent who’s handled this kind of sale.

It’s crucial that you both trust the person you choose and that you can both work with them. Maybe you have an agent who’s represented you before and whom you both trust to be fair. If you don’t, then agree on what you’re looking for in an agent and start “interviewing” them.

What you should agree on before you begin the sale process

It’s crucial to determine — and codify — how the proceeds will be split (50/50 or some other way). This will depend in part on how much each of you contributed to the original purchase and later upgrades. You should also decide how you’ll divide the costs of any repairs you do to improve the sale price (and when to do it yourself vs. hiring a pro).

Homes typically sell better when they aren’t empty. If one of you is still living there, it’s probably best to stay. While that person will be the one ensuring that the home isn’t a mess when your agent shows it, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to be responsible for repairs and maintenance unless that’s what you decide.

Finally (but probably one of the first things you’ll want to do) is agree on a price range with your agent. This is key, so they can do their job without constantly checking with you on offers you may not want to consider.

Be sure to keep your legal team in the loop on this important transaction. This can help ensure that you get the most out of this valuable asset.