Selling your home during the divorce is usually one of the latter steps. Divorce is hard, but it behooves both parties to act cordially. Decisions need to be made by both parties and the process will be much easier if you can agree and get the job done.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT REALTOR WHILE SELLING YOUR HOME DURING A DIVORCE
It is vital to hire a real estate agent that is experienced with working with divorced couples. There are two important qualities a real estate agent must have when selling your home during a divorce.
The first is an agent that has empathy regarding the high emotions and tensions during a divorce. They must be able to manage the sale of your home respectfully, as well as manage the tension between two often embittered parties.
Second is you need an agent that is neutral. They need to represent both parties equally and not favor one over another.
It is a good idea to stay away from agents that are friends or family of one party. Each party should pick one or two agents to interview together that is not in any sort of relationship with either party. From there you both need to select an agent.
AGREEING ON A LIST PRICE
At the end of the day what you list your home for is your decision. Both of you need to agree. This sometimes can be an area of dispute. My recommendation is if you hire the right realtor they will give you the information to make the right decision. Overpricing your home will ultimately have dire consequences.
Remember every disagreement can land you back in court for a judge to decide. Going to court costs you time and money. Try to agree on your own it will be cheaper and easier in the long run.
If you can’t agree one solution is each hire an independent appraiser and split the difference. While an appraisal will generally cost $350-400 it is still cheaper than going to court and the judge will probably order one appraisal anyways.
GOOD SHOWING PRINCIPALS STILL APPLY
Most likely you will want to get the most proceeds out of your marital home as well as sell it as quickly as possible. Come together and get the house prepared properly with a good cleaning, de-cluttering and de-personalization of the home. If you can’t do it together consider hiring people to do so and split the cost.
If you are the party staying in the home, don’t thwart attempts to show the home. Make sure the home is ready for all showings and make sure you are not denying the any showings.
At the end of the day it behooves you to get your home sold for the most money and as quickly as possible.
WON’T BUYER’S SUBMIT LOWBALL OFFERS IF THEY KNOW WE ARE DIVORCING?
A house is worth what a house is worth. Period. As long as you give it the proper marketing time and don’t give the impression you are in a rush to sell.
Will you get lowball offers on your home? Maybe, but that can happen on any home. There are always a small percentage of buyer’s that will take advantage of any situation. But most buyers, just want a nice home. Your divorce has no direct bearing on it’s value.
It is important to have a united front in this area. Your real estate agent should be a valuable resource in setting the proper value and presenting its value to potential agents and buyers. Do your part by getting your house prepared and listing it for the right price.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON SELLING YOUR HOME DURING A DIVORCE
Don’t assume anything when it comes to divorce settlement. You can do your research and your lawyer can give his opinion, but at the end of the day the judge is going to do what they are going to do. If you let the judge decides what happens to the marital home most likely neither party will be happy.
Divorces are expensive enough with lawyers and court fees. You are far better trying to come to an agreement and present you proposal regarding the marital home to the judge. Every time you and your spouse come to an impasse, it will mean letting the judge decide your fate which also means increase your costs.
It behooves you and your soon to be ex to come to agreement and get your home sold for quickly for as much money as you can. Letting the home linger unsold could mean your responsible for bills you can’t afford. You could also be tapping into the equity you may have in the home.
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