Blog Layout

Is It Better to Sell Your House Before or After a Divorce?

Kentucky Cash Home Buyers • Nov 11, 2022

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.


If you ask yourself:  should I sell my house fast in Louisville KY? Call us; we are Louisville home buyers, and we will make you an offer to buy your house  for all cash.

sell my house fast Louisville KY

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 sell my house fast in Louisville KY? We can help you; we buy houses for cash, and we will make you a fair cash offer with no strings attached.

we buy houses Louisville KY
By Kentucky Cash home Buyers 27 Oct, 2023
Selling a house is a significant decision that can come with much stress and uncertainty. Traditionally, homeowners list their properties on the real estate market, hire agents, and wait for potential buyers to make offers. However, an alternative option has gained popularity in recent years: selling one’s house to a local cash home buyer. This approach offers a range of benefits that can make the selling process faster, simpler, and more convenient for homeowners. If you’re ready to sell your home, you may have reason to want to sell it fast. Whether you're relocating for a new job that starts soon or have a pending offer on a new place, it's important to drum up interest in your house especially if you're looking to close quickly. The more potential buyers you can attract, the better your chances of selling fast - and at a good price.(1)
Louisville home buyers
By Kentucky Cash home Buyers 20 Oct, 2023
Do you want to sell your house but have title problems? Have you inherited a house with what appears to be irreversible title issues? In this case, finding a willing buyer to purchase your home may be hard. However, that doesn’t mean that your house won’t sell.
sell my house fast Louisville KY
By Kentucky Cash home Buyers 13 Oct, 2023
Are you thinking about selling your home? Selling your house to a cash buyer could be ideal if you are dealing with foreclosure, life changes, or simply want a hassle-free and quick transaction. In this post, we’ll go through the several merits of selling your house as-is for cash, giving you useful information to help you make an informed decision. Discover how cash buyers eliminate the need for repairs, showings, and stipulations, allowing you to have a stress-free selling experience.
we buy houses Louisville KY
By Kentucky Cash home Buyers 06 Oct, 2023
When selling or buying a house, it is critical to confirm that it is free of all liens. Liens significantly complicate the selling process of a home. Sometimes, home buyers may not even know there are liens on their property until they’re uncovered during a title search as the deal moves toward the closing table. Or homeowners may already be aware of the lien but lack the funds to pay it off.
we buy houses Louisville KY
By Kentucky Cash home Buyers 22 Sep, 2023
In addition to being time-consuming, selling a home can be daunting and stressful, especially if you want to sell it quickly. Nevertheless, cash home buyers offer a hassle-free and convenient way for homeowners to sell their homes fast. Furthermore, we buy houses Louisville KY experts strive to provide fair cash offers for property owners.
Louisville home buyers
By Kentucky Cash home Buyers 15 Sep, 2023
You can sell a home as soon as you'd like after buying it—though selling too fast might mean losing money on the costs of buying, selling, and moving, along with diminishing or increasing equity. It's typically best to wait for a minimum of two years before you sell to offset the closing expenses with the equity you're able to build during this time. But ultimately, you'll have to decide if breaking even is worth waiting for, depending on your individual circumstances and need for selling.
sell my house fast Louisville KY
By Kentucky Cash home Buyers 07 Sep, 2023
When it comes to selling a home, the dream scenario is to complete the transaction as quickly as possible while still getting the full asking price. Of course, home sales don't always work out this way. Occasionally, a house languishes on the market, prompting price reductions that erode profit margins. Such scenarios can be frustrating, to say the least.
we buy houses Louisville KY
By Kentucky Cash home Buyers 31 Aug, 2023
Cash homebuyers are highly desirable in the current real estate market. There are many benefits of cash buyers, yet they are also scarcer than they used to be, and competition for their dollars is the highest it has been in years. These strategies for finding and connecting with them are vital for real estate investors and house flippers who want to move their properties fast and grow businesses with confidence.
we buy houses Louisville KY
By Kentucky Cash Home Buyers 25 Aug, 2023
Selling a house, especially a small and distressed one, can be a challenging endeavor. But fear not, as the experts at Kentucky Cash Home Buyers are here to guide you through the process. If you're looking to sell your house fast and make the most out of your property in Louisville, KY, staging is the secret weapon you need. With a few strategic tricks, you can create an illusion of spaciousness and allure that will draw potential buyers to your doorstep.
Louisville home buyers
By Kentucky Cash Home Buyers 18 Aug, 2023
Owning a home is a dream for many, but sometimes life throws unexpected challenges our way. If you find yourself facing financial distress and the burden of a distressed house, there's a solution that can provide both speed and convenience: Louisville cash home buyers. These professionals specialize in helping homeowners who need to sell their houses quickly, offering a lifeline in tough times. Let's explore how these home buyers in Louisville, KY can be your solution and provide a fresh start.
More Posts
Share by: