Divorce can be a tricky business. Aside from the emotional toll, the division of certain assets can represent an especially daunting challenge. The sale of the marital home is one of the largest assets shared by divorcing couples, and it requires special considerations. This is where a real estate divorce specialist can be invaluable.
What Do Real Estate Divorce Specialists Do?
Certified Real Estate Divorce Specialists have undergone hours of special training to understand certain details and laws that will be unique to divorcing clients. They will have a thorough knowledge of the divorce process as well as property division laws, tax issues, alimony, and other important considerations when selling a family home during a divorce.
More importantly, perhaps, is the fact that an experienced Divorce Specialist will know how to represent both parties equally and respectfully. This will help clients navigate an extremely emotional process with a fair and steady hand. Arguments over list price, timing, occupancy, and other important details can be handled through a neutral third party who has both spouses’ best interests at heart.
Tips for Selling a Home During a Divorce
Choose a Real Estate Divorce Specialist Both Spouses Trust
When choosing a divorce specialist to sell your home, it is first and foremost important that you meet with someone both parties trust and respect. The point, after all, is to avoid arguments over details that can significantly slow the selling process.
Whatever differences you and your spouse may have, be sure you agree on a real estate professional together. This will avoid further resentment when it comes to the choices you make via your Realtor in selling the home.
Don’t Delay the Sale Out of Spite
Divorces can be amicable, or they can be messy. There are cases where one party may attempt to deliberately draw out the process in order to cause emotional or financial harm to the other party. But this tactic is not only unhelpful, it can result in a loss on both sides.
For example, if one party is found to be purposely obstructing the home sale process, the other party may need to obtain a court order. The cost to obtain this order will be on the person delaying the sale, since their attorney will charge fees each time they need to legally intervene.
Agree on One Person Moving Out
Most real estate specialists will advise that one of you move out to facilitate a faster sale. Pragmatically, it is much easier to stage a home, arrange showings, and perform needed updates if only one person is living in the home.
Furthermore, showing a home is stressful under the best of circumstances; tension between you and your spouse living under the same roof can easily translate into the look and feel of your home when it comes time to show it.
If you are both thinking of moving out of the home before the sale, you may want to reconsider. Vacant homes often take longer to sell than lived-in or staged homes, since it is more difficult for buyers to visualize the purpose and size of a space. They are also more susceptible to crime, so you may have to purchase additional homeowners insurance if you plan to leave the home empty.
Don’t Argue Over Petty Sums
When divorcing couples receive an offer, it is not uncommon for one party to dispute the amount as “too low.” In these instances, your Real Estate Divorce Specialist will review numbers carefully with both of you and determine if it is in your best interest to hold out for a higher offer, or if it will cost you more to hold onto the house while hoping for more money.
As long as you have accomplished step number one (hiring a specialist BOTH of you trust), you should have no problem accepting your real estate professional’s advice.
Divorce Real Estate Specialist in Colorado
Going through a divorce can be a very stressful and emotional process. When it comes time to sell the family home, you need someone with both experience and compassion to avoid another source of contention and to preserve the value of one of your largest shared assets.
If you are in need of a certified Divorce Specialist in Colorado, contact Brenda Kellogg Meyer. Brenda understands the importance of trust and respect in these situations and will help make the sale process as smooth as possible. Call or go online to get started today.
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