Selling a House While Going Through a Divorce
It’s undeniable that going through a divorce is physically, emotionally, and financially draining. More-so if you have to deal with selling the house you once shared with your partner.
A lot of divorced couples tend to delay things like this but Laurel Starks, a real estate expert says that this is a business decision that will directly affect your future after the divorce is finalized. According to her, during tough times like this, it’s important to think using your brain and not your heart. Easier said than done but that’s just the way it is. How you get up after the divorce is directly related to the decisions you made while undergoing the divorce process.
Based on her experience, the marital home had been a source of revenge, conflict, and financial problems for both parties in a lot of contentious divorces she has been involved in. However, the once important financial asset that a couple shared doesn’t necessarily have to be a tug-of-war and would benefit both parties if dealt with professionally.
For those selling the house during a divorce, here are some tips that can help you get past it financially stable and ready for your new life.
Take good care of yourself.
Divorce comes with a lot of court dates and will involve a lot of emotions including doubts, anger, frustration, etc., The best thing you can do to get through this is to always take good care of yourself. You need strength and a clear mindset to be able to get past the struggle and the toxicity that has been engulfing you before. Remember that your best days are ahead and that the only person that you can count on is yourself. Never let yourself down and take care of your finances throughout the divorce.
Don’t remain married to the house.
Real estate agents do not advocate remaining married to the property’s mortgage. If the other party does not have the capacity to refinance it, then the best option is to sell the property.
Don’t disrupt your own profits.
If one of the parties is not interested in selling the house, but a court order has been issued it sometimes causes one to sabotage the sale. It can either be by ruining parts of the house or by keeping the house unclean. By disrupting the sale process in the presence of a court order, one can be sanctioned and will be obliged to pay hefty fines and fees. That would not be beneficial so not worth doing at all. As the saying goes, what comes around, goes around.
Consider hiring a Stager.
The condition of the house during the sale is very important. In a lot of instances, a divorced house usually has deferred maintenance waiting and none of the parties have the energy to do the necessary, or maybe no one can afford to get those repairs done. But the house’s appearance can make or break the sale. If the house is staged well, it can even be paid in cold cash by home cash buyers. So investing in a Stager can facilitate the sale and be beneficial for both of the parties.
Bring all your belongings when you move out of the house.
If you’re the one moving out of the house, bring everything that you own right away with the anticipation that you aren’t going back. The reason for such is that many times when a spouse leaves and hopes to come back to get their stuff, the locks are changed, the alarms are on, and you have no way to get in as easy as before. And you don’t’ want that which is why it’s better to take everything with you at once.
Make copies of all important documents.
Before leaving the house be sure to make copies of important documents such as all tax returns, financial bank statements, and anything else that you deem important in selling the property.
Work with a real estate person with knowledge in selling properties on a divorce.
If possible, find a divorce real estate expert. However, if there are no available experts in your area, the least you can do is to find someone with enough experience in selling a house during a divorce process.
Divorce is an ugly process but if it’s inevitable, the best you can do is to be smart and take the challenges with pride. This too shall pass. Good luck!
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