As a friendly reminder, none of the content on this website is legal advice. If you need assistance navigating the legalities of selling your home in a divorce, we alway encourage you to reach out to your own attorney.
Dividing assets during a divorce is always unpleasant. A big question in divorce is always "Who gets the house?"
When you gain the family home after the assets are divided during a divorce, it can seem impossible to maintain if the finances are in order, and if they are not, valuing your home and selling it for a fair price is a decision that needs to be made with the knowledge and experience to understand what it is worth. This will be your best course of action and help your future financial planning. When divorce requires selling a home, any disagreement in the selling process can escalate quickly.
Battles over setting the list price, scheduling showings, and even accepting the best offer can delay both the sale and the divorce. In worst-case scenarios, these skirmishes may even lead to you selling the house for less than it's worth if the homeowners don't have trusted guidance to keep the emotions out and the process moving forward smoothly.
There's perhaps no more important scenario to pick the professional with the right experience to sell your home. But how do you find an agent with this type of experience? And should you look for just experience or actual certifications?
Nothing is more important than finding someone with actual experience in this situation. Someone who can toe the line and represent the fiduciary duties to both parties.
Sarah's personal experience, education and collaboration with several experts to answer your question in this guide. Sarah Marrinan is a real estate divorce specialist. I am part of a group call the Divorce Collective that creates an expansive network of resources for my clients. Read more about Residential Real Estate Divorce Specialist Certification.
Certified Divorce Real Estate Experts (CDRE™) and Real Estate Collaboration Specialists - Divorce™ (RCS-D™) share their expert insights from the real estate side.
Let's examine the facts you need to know to find the right agent to help you sell your home during a divorce.
Do I need a real estate divorce specialist to sell my home?
If you’re going through the divorce process, selling your home is only one of many crucial, life-impacting decisions you will be making in a relatively short period of time. You may be wondering if your process needs to be any different than the typical selling process.
When choosing an agent to help you sell your home during a divorce, nothing is more important than finding someone with actual experience in this situation. Someone who can toe the line and represent the fiduciary duties to BOTH parties.
Creamer agrees, “you need to have an experienced agent who knows what the challenges of divorce real estate sales are to stop them before they happen.”
An agent that specializes in divorce provides multiple benefits, which include:
- Understands the emotional delicacy of the situation and can navigate it well.
- Knows how to help both parties find common ground in selling for the best price.
- Avoids scenarios and situations that may cause friction and slow down the process.
- Experience with dual agency and can act as a neutral third party.
“Divorce is a challenge all by itself, as is the process of selling a home — that’s two major challenges at once. So you need an experienced agent that you both can trust; an agent who will have open communication with all parties involved. Years of experience make agents better communicators, which makes the transactions smoother,“ says Creamer.
Hiring the right agent who can communicate clearly and calmly with both spouses is absolutely essential. The agent may also need to understand and utilize relationships with attorneys, appraisers, lenders and title professionals.
More MN real estate resources:
Seminars for MN Home buyers and sellers
Handling Property in a MN Divorce
11 things that negatively affect your home's market value
READY TO TALK? CONTACT SARAH MARRINAN TODAY.
National Association of Realtors (NAR) recognized Designations and Certifications held by Sarah Marrinan:
- Graduate of the Realtor Institute® (GRI)
- Certified Residential Specialist® (CRS)
- Seller Seller Representative Specialist® (SRS)
- Real Estate Negotiation Expert® (RENE)
- Pricing Strategy Advisor® (PSA)
- Smart Home Certification
- New-Home Construction Buyer Representation Certificate
- Successful Relocation Representation
- e-PRO® certification
- Luxury Home Certification
- Divorce in Real Estate
A note from Sarah:
My affiliates and I understand that buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it’s a life-changing experience. My team and I are dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for all of our clients. We ask a lot of questions and we take great pride in the relationships we build. We always work relentlessly on the client’s behalf to help them achieve their real estate goals.
Today’s buyers and sellers need a trusted professional that can guide them through the complex world of real estate on online noise.
My team of experts (from mortgage professionals to home repair) represents the best in the industry, and we’re always striving to lead the field in research, innovation, and consumer education. With our extensive knowledge and commitment to providing only the best and most timely information to our clients, we are your go-to source for real estate industry insight and advice. I have a network of agents with the same philosophy around the country - and internationally. Whether you're moving across town in the local Twin Cities area, across the country, or out of the country, we will be in your corner.
