When asked to list the most difficult life experiences they can think of, most people will put “divorce” and “moving” near the top of their list. So, it makes sense that selling a house during a divorce can send even the most reasonable people over the edge. It’s not hard to understand why: Emotions run high during a divorce, and selling a home—especially one full of memories—can strike an unpleasant chord. Yet for most divorcees, selling the house is a necessary part of moving on, financially and emotionally.

If you find yourself in the midst of a divorce, with a property you’d rather be rid of, this is probably the point when you ask yourself: Is there a better way to deal with this? Can I really handle selling a house right now?

We get it, and we’ve got some good news for you—you can do this, and Fifth Avenue Property Group can help. We’ve put together a guide full of some advice to make selling your house during a divorce as painless as possible.

Let It Go

Selling your home under the best circumstances can be an emotionally arduous process. And let’s face it—these are not the “best circumstances.” Maybe the thought of giving up your family home feels like a punch in the gut. Maybe bitter fighting has turned your property into something that must be “won” from your former spouse. Whatever the case, it would be worth taking a breath and trying to look at the situation objectively.

Unless you’re in a very comfortable spot financially, you probably cannot afford to buy out your former spouse, refinance your house, and pay the full mortgage, property taxes, and any applicable HOA fees. So instead of fighting to hold onto a property that will only bog you down, think of selling your house during a divorce as an investment in your future—a fresh start.

Find the Right Real Estate Partner

We know it can be tempting, but now is not the time to try to save money by partnering with an inexperienced realtor or—worse yet—trying to list your house yourself. You have enough on your plate. You don’t need to take this on as well. Instead, try to find someone who will handle every aspect of your home sale, remaining impartial and going the extra mile to communicate things like showing dates to both you and your former spouse.

Depending on your situation, this may also be the perfect opportunity to consult a cash home buying firm. Reputable property groups specialize in quick home sales, don’t require you to stage or show your house, and will offer fair prices for their service. In fact, the best property groups will even take care of closing costs and transfer taxes themselves.

Determine Your Financial Expectations Ahead of Time

Though it may be difficult, you and your former spouse should try to be on the same page when it comes to the financial reality of selling your house. The fact of the matter is that both of you will benefit from selling your house and establishing your expectations together ahead of time will keep things going smoothly. Not only does this involve working with a realtor to determine a reasonable listing price, but it will also require you to decide who pays closing costs, transfer taxes, commissions, and any other fees.

Selling your house during a divorce doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. If you live in the Pittsburgh, PA, area, Fifth Avenue Property Group would be more than happy to help you negotiate this difficult process. Contact us today to receive a free estimate for your home.