Thinking of Divorce?  Do Real Estate Planning First!

Divorce.  It may be the hardest thing you ever do.  And, many times, thinking about what to do with the family home is the last thing on your mind.  BUT, it's absolutely necessity if you want to maintain your financial future.  "A little due diligence on the front end can keep you from being bit on the rear end."

Consider this fact - your home is perhaps the most valuable asset you own.  Making sure your largest asset, and both spouses' interests, are protected during a divorce is critical.

A Real Estate Collaborative Specialist – Divorce (RCS-D™ REALTOR®) assists you in planning for your real estate.  What does that mean?  By doing a little bit of due diligence regarding the house BEFORE signing any divorce papers, you will significantly lessen the upheaval of divorce by avoiding any little "surprises" that might have lessened the value of the house giving one spouse a financial advantage over the other.

Advantages of Working with an RCS-D™ REALTOR®

You’ll Make an Informed Decision – Whether you decide to keep or sell the house is a very personal decision.  However, in order to do so, you must make an informed decision.  Failure to do some front end research (due diligence), often causes a variety of problems.  And often, these problems can end up leading to loss of the house!  Only, by that time, the person who kept the house is now solely responsible for ALL the expenses (including repairs and costs to sell)!  If you choose to keep the house, our goal is to MAKE SURE you are able to keep the house comfortably, without putting your financial future in jeopardy.  

• Without accurate due dilligence, the cost of homeownership can be understated, making it difficult or impossible for the remaining spouse to maintain the home. 
  
• Potential hidden debt in the form of undisclosed liens against the property need to be discovered BEFORE the property is transferred (why?  Liens "transfer with the land"), which can make it difficult, if not impossible, for the keeper of the house to re-finance.
  
• Hidden home defects need to be discovered and addressed before one spouse takes on sole responsibility. 

We’ll work with you to ensure you make decisions based on all the facts and what is right for YOUR situation.

You’ll Have Evidence of Your Home’s Value – Developing a strategy for real estate before divorce papers are filed avoids common pitfalls (above).  For example, homes being kept by one party in a divorce are typically overvalued.  Very often, the value of the home is set based on an agreed-upon value between spouses without consideration of condition, title, lients, ability to re-finance, etc.  We can do the research and gather the information which will result in an accurate valuation.  You’ll make an informed decision about the disposition of the home - before the courts divide the home’s equity between divorcing spouses.

You’ll Avoid the “Divorce Home” Sales Problems (if you choose to sell) – Selling a divorce house is not the same as selling a non-divorce house!  If your home screams “DIVORCE” during a sales process, it will be a significant disadvantage when negotiating with buyers.  You can retain the equity your home represents.  We can help you address your home’s Condition and Presentation to ensure a successful sale.

You’ll Work with Real Estate Divorce Experts – Real estate advisors are among the few professionals who must represent both parties in the divorce. The services of a REALTOR® who knows how to unite the interests of both parties in a divorce, to make sure both spouses are protected, is invaluable.

Call me at 615-512-5485 to protect your assets and avoid unneeded emotional distress.  You can also send an email to tori@stamps-realty.com.

Tori Stamps, MA, JD

RCS-D™ REALTOR®