Is It Better to Sell Your House Before or After a Divorce?
It happens all too often: In the process of divorce, one spouse is ready to sell the marital or family home but the other isn’t—and so the latter decides to obstruct the sale. If you find yourself caught in this situation, or you want to avoid such a scenario in the future, it’s important to understand the potential issues involved and put safeguards into place to work toward a positive outcome. (1)
If you're going through a divorce, you may wonder what the best timeline is for selling your house. Should you sell before or after the divorce is finalized? This post will explore the pros and cons of selling a home during each divorce stage to help you decide.
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The Timing Of Selling A Home Due To A Divorce Affects The Outcome Of The Sale
It's hard enough to sell property, but it's even more challenging when you have to sell the family home because of a divorce. If you're going through a divorce and need to sell your house, the best thing to do from a real estate perspective is to act before the divorce proceedings begin. Home sellers should always be wary of hiding their motivations for selling from buyers. If buyers smell blood in the water, they may be discouraged from purchasing.
Selling House Before Divorce
There are several reasons why selling the house before beginning divorce proceedings is the best option. First, because the divorce has not yet been filed, there is no indication that a marriage dissolution is the cause of the home sale. This means prospective buyers will need to learn how motivated you are to sell the home, and they may be more likely to make an offer.
Additionally, selling before filing for divorce can help you avoid costly legal fees and stressful negotiating sessions with your spouse. Selling the house before the divorce begins is the best option. Because the divorce has not yet been filed, there is no indication that a marriage dissolution is the cause of the home sale. Therefore, prospective buyers need to learn how motivated they are to see the home get sold.
Tips For Selling Your Home Amidst A Divorce
If you and your spouse are still cordial, it's beneficial to both of you to stay in the marital home. If that's not an option, here is some advice:
If one spouse needs to leave the house before divorce proceedings start, have them take as few belongings as possible. Cleaning out closets, removing furniture, and taking down pictures or other items is noticeable.
Lastly, working together on an offer will help things go more smoothly. You can work together to accept the response, address inspection responses, and get the deal done quickly.
The Benefits Of Selling Your Home Before A Divorce
- Many buyers need to be aware of their actions' true motivations.
- It helps to maintain or increase the value of your home.
- As the seller, you retain all negotiating power.
- Keep conflicts at bay by determining who gets to stay in, pay for, and take care of the marital home ahead of time.
Drawbacks To Selling Your Home Before A Divorce
- The couple often tries to continue living together, though it can be difficult.
- Both spouses are making plans while still living together, such as making arrangements for where they will live and when they will move out.
Selling A House After Divorce Agreement
After a divorce, selling your marital home is the second best option. One spouse is often given the house in the divorce, leaving them with all the responsibility and decisions. This situation typically makes things much easier for everyone involved. Alternatively, the divorce is finalized with an order to sell the home, and usually, the other spouse receives some proceeds. Either way, having just one decision-maker streamlines this process.
The Benefits of Selling Your Home After a Divorce
- Making all the decisions alone can be easier because you only have to argue with yourself!
- Planning your move doesn't have to be a pain.
- Your reasons for wanting a divorce are unclear.
- After you divorce, there are many changes you have to adjust to. You can focus better now because all the decisions no longer bog you down.
- If you sell your home with your spouse, you will remain in control of the asset.
Downsides of Selling Your Home After a Divorce
- Even though the divorce is now final, it's hard to say that the record of it was a motivating factor.
- When you travel solo, you have to be self-sufficient.
- Consider adding some decorative pieces to your home to make it appear full.
Selling Your House During A Divorce
Although it's not ideal, there are times when selling a home during a divorce is necessary. If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing you can do is to plan. You will be much more likely to succeed by being proactive and planning your sale. Here are some tips on how to go about doing that:
Actions To Take When Selling Your Home During A Divorce
It is crucial to keep your home looking "lived in" as much as possible, even if a spouse isn't living there. Keeping plenty of things in the house creates an illusion that somebody still lives there full-time. This will help significantly when selling the property.
Making the decision to sell your home during a divorce can be difficult, but with proper planning, it doesn't have to be. Some important factors to consider include the following:
- Who will ensure the mortgage, insurance, and property taxes are paid?
- Who is responsible for keeping the home clean and tidy?
- When will the home be available to view?
- Who will have the authority to approve requests for showings?
- How will you maintain your home's cleanliness to ensure it is always ready for showings?
- After a home inspection, who is responsible for fixing things the buyer requests to be fixed?
By planning everything, you and your spouse can avoid issues that would show prospective home buyers the negative aspects of the home.
Advantages of Selling Your Home During a Divorce
- You've planned more carefully this time to ensure everyone knows what they need to do before we list the home.
What to Expect When Selling Your Home During a Divorce
- If prospective buyers or agents found out about the divorce, they could use it against you.
- If your spouse isn't following through on their plan to help sell the home, you may need to hold them accountable.
- A divorce can leave many voids in a home.
- There is a higher chance that you will receive a lower offer for your home.
Conclusion
Anyone who has gone through a divorce can attest that it is a major life event. When you sell your house due to divorce, the timing does influence how much money you make from the sale. To gain a possible profit, it is best to put your home on the market before filing for divorce. Although it may not be your top priority, you can still sell your home during a divorce if necessary. Following the proper steps and planning, you can make the process as smooth as possible. If you ask yourself: how to
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