5 THINGS TO AGREE ON BEFORE LISTING YOUR MARITAL HOME

1. Deciding when to sell

Deciding when the right time to sell the house is important and is based off of several factors. Here are some questions to ask when deciding when to list:

How much time is needed to make repairs and prepare the home for sale?

Can we afford to wait for the best season to sell?

Is your mortgage up for renewal soon? How much will the break mortgage penalty be?

2. Hiring a Realtor
Find a realtor/real estate divorce specialist you both like and get along with. It's important that your realtor is neutral, knows the divorce process, and is your mediator. You'll be deciding many aspects of the sale together. It's important to be on the same page.  

3. Setting a list price
Price is often a point of disagreement between the realtor and seller. But now you two must also agree on the list price. To avoid arguments between you and your ex about the list price, default to your realtor's suggestion. Remember: Your real estate divorce specialist is an expert and will advise you of the best price to list.

4. Showing the house
Having a showing plan in place will greatly impact on how quickly you sell your home and make a strong impression on potential buyers. This will let everyone know when the home is available for showings and when open houses will be. The more you show the home the more buyers and potential offers it will attract.

5. How to split the proceeds
Before you list the home for sale it is crucial to figure out how the proceeds of the home will be divided. A separation agreement will let the real estate lawyer know how to split the proceeds at the time of closing.