Understand the options before choosing a direction.

Not every separation leads to an immediate sale. Here are three common starting points, the information that tends to help with each, and who answers which questions.

Considering a sale

Useful information: Comparable sales and competing listings
Preparation that may be worth doing
Estimated categories of selling cost
Possible listing and completion timing
Questions to ask next: How would showings work while someone lives there?
What would we each need to agree on first?
What would remain after mortgage payout and costs?
Relevant advisers: Real estate professional · Family lawyer · Lender

Exploring whether one person keeps the home

Useful information: Current market information as a reference point
Whether an independent appraisal may be needed
The mortgage balance and terms
Questions to ask next: Could the person staying qualify for the financing?
Which valuation will the advisers rely on?
What happens if keeping the home does not work out?
Relevant advisers: Lender or mortgage professional · Family lawyer · Appraiser, if required

Still gathering information

Useful information: A general sense of the local market
What a sale would involve, step by step
Which documents and details are worth locating
Questions to ask next: What do we need to know before choosing a direction?
Are there agreements affecting timing?
Who needs to be part of decisions about the property?
Relevant advisers: Family lawyer · Real estate professional for market information · Financial adviser, if helpful

This page does not describe what either person is entitled to. Your lawyer advises on that; your lender advises on financing.

If a sale is one of the possibilities

It helps to understand what the market is likely to support and what the process would involve before deciding. A market assessment can explain a potential range and the reasoning behind it, but no sale price or completion date can be promised.

Related resources

Not sure which option fits yet?

A short conversation about the market and the property can help you decide which questions to take to your advisers.