Divorce is messy and can be sad, but you don’t want it to be any more of a hassle than it has to be. You’re not alone–nearly half of all marriages end in divorce, and almost a quarter of divorced individuals decide to move. If you are trying to sell your house after a divorce, you want it to be as quick and painless as possible.
There are some legal steps involved in selling your house as part of a divorce. However, there are also ways to get it done quickly and without hassle. If you want to sell your house fast, consider accepting a cash offer on your home.
How to Sell Your House After a Divorce
If you are getting divorced, you know there are legal fees and processes. Your house shouldn’t be one of those. Instead of making your home a cause of pain or strife, sell it quickly and efficiently. You’ll be able to move on and start with a clean slate without worrying about showings or extra fees.
Can You Sell Your House During a Divorce?
Unfortunately, you can’t sell your house during a divorce. Because of the legal process, neither party can release significant assets during the divorce. Even if the lease is only in your name, it is illegal and results in a court case (and a considerably messier divorce).
If your house is only in your name, you won’t need to do anything else once the divorce is finalized. If you and your spouse bought the house while you were married, splitting up your joint possessions and assets will be part of the procedure. You won’t be able to sell during the divorce, but hang on a bit longer, and the choice will be yours.
How Soon After a Divorce Can You Sell Your House?
Whether you want to sell your house right after the divorce is finalized or years after, you’ll need to come to a legal agreement on whose house it is. If you and your former spouse are both on the lease, you can settle that as part of your agreement. Whoever gets the home can sell it.
As soon as the divorce finishes, you will be able to sell the house. Once all the legal dust has settled, and the house is yours, you can sell it as quickly or as slowly as you desire.
Once you’ve agreed that you own the house and your partner has cashed out or come to a separate agreement, you can sell however you please. If your focus is to sell your home quickly, the best way to do that is to list it as soon as possible and find a reliable cash buyer.
Selling With a Realtor: Pros and Cons
Of course, the traditional way to sell your house is through a real estate agent. There are several benefits to selling this way, but they came with a heftier price tag. A realtor will:
- Take a commission
- Require inspections and repairs
- Schedule semi-regular showings of the house
You’ll have to keep the place clean and ready to go at any time.
There are also closing costs, the danger of a failed sale, and the stress of going months without getting an offer. The average house listed with a real estate agency sits on the market for 39 days, which can seem much too long if you’re ready to pack up and move out.
These are the negatives of hiring a real estate agent. However, a good realtor will know what price you can ask for and help you get the best price out of your house. They know the market and can use that knowledge to help you.
Selling your house traditionally, but by yourself, is another option. Only 7% of homeowners choose to sell by owner because it is a lot of work and often results in a lower selling price. If you want to sell independently and quickly, you might want to consider selling to a certified cash buyer.
Cash Buying: How to Sell Your House Fast
If your focus is to sell your house quickly and move on, the best option is to accept a cash offer for your home. While you might not get the best asking price, you are sure to get a fair price on your house. The most crucial part is selling your home quickly and with as little hassle as possible.
Cash buying cuts out the realtor entirely and puts the selling power directly into your hands. If you find a reliable cash buyer, you’ll be able to schedule one appraisal, receive a fair offer, and walk away from your house with cash in your pocket.
How to Accept a Cash Offer On Your House
Finding a cash buyer is a relatively straightforward process. There are several kinds of cash home buyers, ranging from individual house flippers to home buying companies.
If you decide to sell your house this way, you must know whether your buyer is reliable or not. Some buyers will try to dupe a seller into a lowball offer and cheat you out of the price of your house.
However, a reliable home-buying company will come in, appraise your house, and give you a fair offer. The process is quick and straightforward, and you will walk away with cash in your pocket and the house off your hands within a few weeks. Here are some of the benefits of selling your home to a cash buyer:
- No selling costs or extra fees
- No home inspections
- No risk of a failed sale (4% of realtor sales fall through)
- No need for repairs or cleaning
- No waiting on banks or mortgage lenders
- Fewer home showings
- Less hassle
- Closing date within two weeks (traditional sales can take a month or more)
- Cash in your pocket
- Twice as fast as a regular sale
These are all enormous benefits, especially if you want to sell your home quickly. However, there are some negatives to selling by cash.
Because you will be selling your home as-is, you don’t have to pay for repairs or cleaning. If your house needs extensive repairs, the buyer will probably offer a lower price. You might not get as high a price with a cash buyer.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the fastest way to sell your house after a divorce is to accept a cash offer on your house. This approach has pros and cons, but it is quick and hassle-free. You’ll get cash for your home after a short time. Consider a cash sale if you have just closed a divorce case and are ready to move on.