Selling Due To Divorce

by Alec Short

Selling a home in the best of situations can be stressful; adding in a divorce
and selling a home can seem impossible. It’s an emotional time for the
whole family and this can cause you to make the wrong decisions in the
sales process. In addition to finding the right real estate agent, who
understands and can help guide you, here are a few tips for navigating this
difficult process.

Agree on Clear Objectives

Before listing your home, sit down with your partner and define the goals of
the sale. Do you want to move quickly? Are you willing to wait to maximize
profits? Create a timeline with benchmarks and decision points together
and understand how and when to reevaluate the goals.

Open Communication

Divorce involves complex emotions and selling the family home can
certainly add to the stress. Determine ahead of time how, and how often,
you will communicate regarding the progress of the sale. If amicable, you
may be able to discuss the details together, if not, consider using a
mediator to help.

Set Realistic Expectations

Discuss with your agent the expectations for listing, price, showings, open
houses, etc. If one party is still living in the home, it can be especially
disruptive to show the home on short notice. Both parties must agree to the
parameters, to avoid conflict.

Selling a home during a divorce can be particularly difficult. By working with
your agent and your partner, you can minimize the emotional turmoil by
planning.