Need to Sell Your Home in a Divorce? 9 Tips To Keep Calm And Move On

Even in the best-case scenario, where the divorce is completely amicable, you need an agent that understands the particular communication challenges of this situation.

Bennett gives an example: Normally, an agent can tell one partner there’s a planned open house on Saturday from 1-3 and expect them to relay that to the rest of the family. In a divorce, agents have to realize that couples aren’t communicating reliably.

“In a divorce situation, generally every single communication needs to be doubled,” he says.  “Every text message, every email, every phone call, every voicemail, you have to make sure those communications are replicated so one spouse doesn’t feel like they’re in the dark.”

One spouse feeling alienated from the process, or having the sense that conversations are happening behind their back, can make the entire sale a more fraught experience, creating unnecessary drama and hurt feelings.

“You want to hire an agent who is really going to be your advocate, who is going to go above and beyond and outside of your traditional scope because you’re dealing with that stress,” says Bennett.

Make Sure You Agree On Price and Scheduling Before You List Your Home in A Divorce

Another great reason to go with a top agent with experience in divorce is that he or she will urge you to agree on key details before the home is listed, so that you don’t hit a bump in the road mid-sale.

Before you list your home, decide:

• What is the lowest offer you’re willing to accept?
• Who will remain in the home, and who will leave?
• How you pay for any staging costs or repairs?
• What services like cleaning, minor repairs, and painting will you be willing to hire out?
• How involved in the day-to-day marketing of the home does each person want to be?
• Will the spouse who has moved out be OK with not knowing about every single viewing appointment, or is it important that both be in the loop for every detail?
• What are each spouse’s specific responsibilities in terms of the home sale?
• What real estate agent will you use, and do you both agree on their fee?
• What is your pricing strategy?
• How much notice does each spouse need for a closing date?
• If you are in a state that uses real estate lawyers, do you agree on the attorney for the sale?
• What times are off-limits for appointments, and will the spouse living in the house be expected to accommodate last-minute showing requests?

Don’t Let Your Emotions Get in the Way of the Home Sale During a Divorce

For most people, their home is their biggest financial asset, but selling a home can also bring up a lot of emotions, especially if one partner wishes they didn’t have to sell the house.

Unfortunately, these two things can be in conflict with each other, and the emotional side of a divorce can end up negatively impacting a home sale. That’s a situation neither spouse should want, since they’re both relying on the cash from the home sale to start their new life.

“I’ve heard horror stories of divorcing couples fighting and stopping a closing at the last minute because of some other disagreement in their relationship,” says Rachel Fishman Green, an attorney and mediator at ReSolutions Mediation and Collaborative Services, Park Slope, Brooklyn.

“Don’t let things go sideways out of spite,” says Bennett. Emotions may run high, but keep your eyes on the prize. You really only get one chance to get the best price for your home.

Don’t Rush into Anything You’ll Regret

“In emotional distress, people make bad decisions,” says Bennett. “They’re stressed, they’re emotional, they’re not thinking rationally. Don’t rush into things.”

Once you decide that a divorce is happening, it can feel suddenly suffocating to be stuck in limbo, but make sure you are doing things right. Before you sell your house, speak to your lawyer or mediator, financial planner, and tax professional to make sure you understand all the financial implications of the sale.

Take your time assembling your real estate team, and make sure you and your spouse are in firm agreement before you do anything you can’t take back.

During a Divorce, Expect to Hire People to Help Sell Your Home

Yes, one more expense is probably unwelcome right now, but it might be worth it to pay professionals to take care of some of the house prep while you deal with other responsibilities.

“Work with a broker that offers concierge-level service,” says Bennett. “Now is not the time to go hire your cousin or uncle or friend that does real estate part-time.”

A top agent will coordinate vendors like cleaners, handypeople, stagers, window cleaners, painters, and movers. “People are already so stressed out,” says Bennett, there’s no need to add one more job—or one more negotiation—to their plate.

Another reason divorcing couples need extra help is that rather than working together to coordinate getting the house ready for sale, they’re often at odds, or their attention is focused elsewhere.

With all the other things that need to get done when working through a divorce, both emotionally and logistically, it’s smart to consider letting a full-service agent hire a team to help you.

Get Your Story Straight With Potential Buyers of Your Home

“One thing that buyers like to ask is, ‘why are they selling?’” explains Bennett. Make sure you have a good answer at the ready, otherwise you could give up some leverage. Buyers might assume you have to sell quickly and offer less than they otherwise would have.

No one is suggesting you lie, but Bennett advises clients to work with their agents to think of a more positive spin, lest people think there’s more room for negotiation.

“Mine is, ‘Oh, they’re downsizing,’ which is true,” says Bennett.

Consider the Tax Implications Of Selling Your Home in a Divorce

The capital gains tax is a tax you pay on the profit you get from selling an investment. This tax rate can be as high as 23.8%, so if you can avoid it, you’ll walk away wealthier.

In real estate, there is a capital gains tax exemption of $250,000 per person when selling your primary residence. For a married couple, each partner gets an exemption for a total of $500,000. It’s possible that if you sell after divorce, you could lose the other $250,000 of your exemption.

“One thing that people should look at is trying to structure your divorce and home sale to preserve that exemption,” says Green. A tax professional will be able to help you understand the best way to do that, so make sure you consult with someone before moving forward with the divorce or the sale.

Selling the House in a Divorce is Stressful: Keep Calm and Carry on

While selling your home and getting divorced can be challenging and emotionally fraught, you can get through it with your head held high if you keep your emotions in check and surround yourself with the best possible team.

In ten years, you probably won’t remember the perceived slight that made you lose your cool, but you will definitely remember the money you lost on your home sale.

Find a great agent who can help you close this chapter of your life so you can focus on moving on to the next one.

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