Selling a Home During Divorce, Calmly and Clearly
One steady process, with the same information going to both of you.
When two people have to agree on one house
Selling a home during divorce is different from any other sale, because two people who are separating still have to make a string of decisions together. The price. The repairs. Which offer to take. When to move out. Each one can turn into an argument if it isn't handled with care.
The house is often the largest thing you own together, and what happens to it shapes where each of you lands afterward. That's a lot of weight on one sale, in a season that's already hard.
My job is to take as much friction out of it as I can. That means clear information, a steady process and no surprises for either of you.
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How I handle a divorce sale
I'm Carol Vanlandingham, a REALTOR® with eXp Realty in Erie, Colorado. In a divorce sale I work for the sale of the home, and I don't take sides. A few things I do every time:
- You both get the same information at the same time. Pricing, showing feedback, offers and updates go to both of you together, in writing, so no one is hearing things secondhand.
- You choose how we communicate. Some couples are comfortable on one email thread or in one meeting. Others prefer separate conversations. Either way works, and the information stays the same.
- I stay out of the legal questions. Who gets what, who pays for what and what a court order requires are questions for your attorneys or your mediator. I follow the agreement or order you give me.
- What you tell me stays respectful. I don't carry comments from one of you to the other. I share facts about the sale, and that's all.
I listen before I advise, and I'll explain every step in plain words. You make the decisions. I make sure you both have what you need to make them.
What you get from the process
Disagreements in a divorce sale usually come from uncertainty. So most of my work is replacing guesses with numbers you can both look at.
A price you can both see the reasons for. I walk you through the comparable homes one by one, including the homes yours will compete with today. When the price comes from the market and not from either person, it's easier to agree on. If your attorneys or the court need a formal appraisal, that's a separate step done by a licensed appraiser, and I can explain how the two differ.
An estimate of the proceeds. I put together what the sale would likely net at different prices, after commissions and typical closing costs. How that amount gets divided is between the two of you and your attorneys.
A short, agreed list of repairs. I'll tell you what I'd fix and what I'd skip, with the reasons, so you aren't debating every item.
Offers side by side. I compare each offer on price, financing strength, contingencies and timing, and you both see the same comparison.
Deadlines handled. Once you're under contract, I track every date through closing and keep you both posted.
The full selling method is on my How I Sell a Home page. The parts people in your position ask about most are how I set the price and how I compare offers.
After the sale, for each of you
Once the house sells, each of you needs a next place to live, and those two searches can look very different. I can help one or both of you buy or find the right fit in Erie, Boulder County or any of the areas I serve. If it would be more comfortable for one of you to work with a different agent for the next home, I understand, and I'm glad to recommend someone.
If you're thinking about keeping the house instead of selling it, it still helps to know its current value before you decide. You can ask for a free home value report as a starting point.
When you're ready to talk, either of you can send me a note or call me at (303) 522-3130. The first conversation is only that, a conversation. You can read more about how I work on the home page, or see everything I do for sellers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we both have to agree to sell the house?
That's a legal question, and the answer depends on how the home is owned and on any court orders in your case. Your attorney is the right person to ask. Once you have an agreement or an order, I follow it.
Can you work with both of us if we aren't speaking?
Yes. I can communicate with each of you separately and send the same written updates to both, so you each have the same facts without needing to talk to each other.
Should we sell before or after the divorce is final?
Timing can affect taxes and your settlement, so that decision belongs with your attorney and your accountant. I can tell you what the market looks like and what your home would likely sell for at either point.
On video
Watch me walk through it
Google reviews
In my clients' words
5.0 from 28 reviews on Google
“Carol is an amazing realtor. From the moment we decided to sell our home, she worked hard to get it done. Carol gave us great service - everything from figuring out pricing to fabulous pictures from her awesome photographer to great networking. In two days we were under contract!”
“We highly recommend calling Carol when looking to sell or buy a house.”
“I would totally use Carol in future real estate ventures. She sold my mountain property in less than 24 hrs. In the middle of winter. She is professional and a very caring agent. Thx again Carol for work well done.”
“Excellence! This is the first word to come to mind when Carol Vanlandingham is representing you and your family. Whether it was buying a new home locally or out of state or selling, Carol has been our professional for several transactions over the past few years.”
“Why? She is very knowledgable about the market and has excellent resources for lenders and repairpeople. And most importantly, when she says she will do something, she does it.”
“Integrity, trust, and a lot of grit. She gets things done and has your best interest in everything she does!”
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