One of the biggest issues that comes with getting a divorce is what to do with the marital home. Sometimes one of the couple is able to keep it, but more often than not, due to either financial considerations or because no one wants to live there anymore, it’s best to sell it. That way, both parties can have a fresh start; it’s easier to do that with the money from the sale to help you, and the fact that you’re not immersed in old memories.
With that in mind, if you’re looking at how to sell your property after a divorce, we’ve got some helpful advice for you. Of course, each divorce is different, and how you go about things will differ too, but this will give you some idea about how to handle the sale. Read on to find out more.
Talk To Your Divorce Lawyer
The first thing to do when you want to put your marital property up for sale is to speak with your divorce lawyer. They will be able to help you determine when the right time to sell it – you may have to wait until the divorce is finalized, for example.
Since it is often the case that the proceeds from the sale will need to be split between spouses, coming to an agreement before any sale takes place is also a good idea. It will make the process much quicker and less problematic. Again, your divorce lawyer will be able to liaise with your ex-spouse’s lawyer if need be.
Make Some Improvements
Once you decide that you need or want to sell the house, you’ll want the process to happen quickly, allowing you both to move on with your lives as soon as possible. Having the property sitting on the market for months is disheartening, and could cause financial issues too – after all, at least one of you will be living elsewhere, and paying a mortgage as well as rent is difficult for most people, as is paying the entire mortgage when you were once paying half, or less.
Therefore, it’s wise to make some improvements to the property before you put it on the market to sell. The better the property looks, the sooner it will sell (and you might even get a little more money for it). Sometimes a fresh coat of paint, hiring a carpet cleaner, and tidying the yard is enough to make the difference.
Find A Good Real Estate Agent
To sell your old home quickly, it’s a good idea to find a great estate agent who can manage the process for you. You’ll have enough to think about without also having to deal with progressing the house sale or even showing prospective buyers around.
The agent will also be able to negotiate the best price for you, which will be helpful. If you give them the full details of why you’re selling, they will be able to find the best buyers and ensure you get a fair deal.