Di-Forced To Sell

Divorce is the #1 life event that forces couples to sell a home unexpectedly. And in nearly every case, the house is not only the largest financial asset in the settlement—it’s also the most emotionally charged.

There are many ways this can play out, but I want to walk you through the two most common scenarios: when one spouse stays, and when the home must be sold.

Scenario 1: One Stays, One Goes

In many cases, one spouse wants to remain in the home—whether it’s for school districts, proximity to work, or a sense of stability. But in today’s market, this option has gotten much more complicated.

Over the last few years, home values have spiked, and interest rates have doubled. A house purchased with a low 3% mortgage now requires refinancing at 6% or higher. If one spouse chooses to stay, the other is typically owed a portion of the equity—often determined in the divorce decree.

To settle that equity without selling the home, a cash-out refinance is usually the solution. This removes the departing spouse from the mortgage and pays out their share. However, the spouse keeping the home must:

1. Qualify for the new mortgage alone, at today’s higher rate

2. Be able to afford the increased monthly payment (due to the higher rate and larger loan amount)

Before moving forward, you’ll want to know the home’s current value. The Wistrick Team can run comps or refer you to an experienced appraiser if needed—especially when attorneys require official documentation.

Quick note: A Quit Claim Deed is sometimes used to remove a spouse from the title—but it doesn’t remove them from the mortgage. Unless the spouse is fully walking away from their interest (rare), refinancing is the proper path.

Scenario 2: The House Must Be Sold

In many cases, both spouses agree—or are financially forced—to sell the home. This is the most straightforward path, but still comes with emotional and logistical complexity.

The first step? Agreeing on one Realtor.

This agent becomes the neutral point person to guide the process, manage communication, and prevent stalling. Choosing the wrong agent can turn a tense situation into a disaster.

Here’s what to look for:

• Experienced in divorce sales. Many agents avoid them. We’ve spent 20 years handling these scenarios with care and strategy.

• A skilled negotiator. When exes just want the home sold with minimal conflict, strategy matters.

• An excellent communicator. Divorce sales can involve 10+ stakeholders—sellers, attorneys, buyers, lenders, vendors. Everyone needs to be kept in the loop.

• Efficient and resourceful. Time is critical. We have trusted vendors on standby to help with everything from staging to repairs.

• Marketing expertise. Getting top dollar still matters. We know how to prep, price, and promote your home to attract serious buyers fast.

What Happens at Closing?

Tensions often peak at the closing table. A seasoned Realtor will anticipate this and take steps to reduce stress—like scheduling separate signing times.

We’ve seen cases where one spouse tries to derail the closing out of emotion. That’s why communication, transparency, and structure are key. Once all parties sign, we ensure funds are wired correctly, documents are distributed, and keys exchanged.

Post-Closing Follow-Through

A diligent team doesn’t disappear after the deal is done. At The Wistrick Team, we continue to guide our clients through the final details:

• Following up on escrow refund checks (and alerting both parties that one is coming)

• Ensuring utilities are properly shut off

• Helping cancel homeowners insurance

• Communicating final reminders and timelines

We’ve seen cases where one spouse tried to hide a post-closing check or failed to turn off utilities, causing additional disputes. Our process protects everyone involved.

Confidential, Judgment-Free Guidance

If you or someone you care about is navigating divorce and real estate, we’re here to help. We handle these situations with care, discretion, and decades of experience. We’re happy to answer questions privately—and will never disclose exploratory conversations to the other spouse.

Call or text me directly at 404-932-5564 to start the conversation.