--- title: What should we do with the home in our divorce?  - Mahlen Financial description: If you are going through a divorce, one of the top questions likely on your mind is what to do with your marital home. This decision has financial, emotional, educational, and even social implications. In this post, we outline four considerations to keep in mind when weighing the pros and cons of selling your marital home. image: https://amf-divorce.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/qtq80-QV5ycb.jpeg --- ## A.M. Financial - [Services](https://amf-divorce.com/divorce-transition-services) - [Service Plan](https://amf-divorce.com/service-plan) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://amf-divorce.com/frequently-asked-questions) - [Our Blog](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog) - [About Amy](https://amf-divorce.com/about-amy) - [Contact Us](https://amf-divorce.com/contact-us) - [Services](https://amf-divorce.com/divorce-transition-services) - [Services](https://amf-divorce.com/divorce-transition-services) - [Service Plan](https://amf-divorce.com/service-plan) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://amf-divorce.com/frequently-asked-questions) - [Our Blog](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog) - [About Amy](https://amf-divorce.com/about-amy) - [Contact Us](https://amf-divorce.com/contact-us) [Book a Meeting](https://calendly.com/amymahlenmelander/consultdivorcefinancialplanning) # What should we do with the home in our divorce?  June 01, 2022 5 minutes to read If you are going through a divorce, one of the top questions likely on your mind is what to do with your marital home. This decision has financial, emotional, educational, and even social implications. Market conditions and current real estate dynamics can also play into how you divide your home. Recently, we talked with a Denver real estate expert, [Shirley Jenkins](https://shirleyjenkins.kw.com/), to get some insights on handling real estate during a divorce. In this post, Shirley outlines four considerations to keep in mind when weighing the pros and cons of selling your marital home. ## Financial Considerations First and foremost, either party who wishes to keep the marital home should meet with a financial specialist to understand whether financing the home on their own is an option. A financial advisor or lender can help you understand your bottom line numbers, determine [whether you have sufficient assets](https://mahlenfinancial.com/financially-afford-divorce-mahlen-financial/), and help you understand the tax consequences of selling versus keeping your marital home. Regardless of what you decide to do with the home, recognize how important it is to meet with experts who will prevent you from making decisions based on emotions. Instead, experts ranging from financial advisors to tax specialists to mortgage lenders will give you facts and objective opinions based on numbers.   ![](https://amf-divorce.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/qtq80-gQ8aXi-300x200.jpeg?width=300&height=200&name=qtq80-gQ8aXi-300x200.jpeg) ![](https://amf-divorce.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/qtq80-gQ8aXi-300x200.jpeg?width=300&height=200&name=qtq80-gQ8aXi-300x200.jpeg) A financial advisor or [certified financial divorce analyst](https://mahlenfinancial.com/certified-financial-divorce-analyst-a-m-financial/) can help you understand whether you can afford your home right now. They can also help connect with experts who can pre-qualify you for another home purchase if you want to see what options are out there. However, many lenders will pre-qualify you at the top of your range and underestimate the additional expenses of owning a home, including maintenance costs and taxes. Right now, many people buy a home over the list price based on appraisals of recent sales in the neighborhood, and many homes are currently overvalued. These dynamics lead to higher tax bills because taxes are based on your assessment value. Therefore, if you end up buying a new home, and buying high,  you will have to pay significantly more on taxes than you likely planned for when you were prequalified for your home loan. This, combined with common job changes during a divorce and current market declines can inflate your overall home costs even more.  ## Emotional Considerations Once you understand whether you have the financial means to keep your marital home, it’s time to consider the emotional element of this decision. Ask yourself whether you want the home and the memories that go along with it. Some divorcing couples tend to relive those memories again, ranging from good memories of bringing your kids home from the hospital as newborns to remembering rooms where heated arguments occurred during the marriage. Sometimes, a divorce is a great time for a fresh start and it is in your emotional best interest to detach from that part of your previous life. No matter what you decide about the emotional aspects of the home, once you decide you want to sell it, it’s important to make a mental transition into seeing your home as real estate without the emotional attachment of the memories. You can take the memories with you, but decoupling the emotions from your home will make the sale easier. ## Timing Because [market uncertainty](https://mahlenfinancial.com/market-uncertainty-impact-my-divorce/), lending options, and even the age of your children are important considerations in selling a home (and purchasing a new one), it’s critical to consider timing as an element of this decision. For example, you may have a child with special needs or a particular attachment to a school that would make it extra difficult to move out of the neighborhood. You may be facing economic conditions that make it difficult to get a reasonable loan or are in-between jobs, which could make it nearly impossible to qualify for the size of mortgage you need. Notice how the particular timing of this situation impacts your decision to sell now, sell later, or keep the marital home. ## Option to Rent Sometimes, selling your marital home and [renting is a great option](https://mahlenfinancial.com/post-divorce-living-arrangements-rent-or-buy/), especially if you are in a situation where you could lose money keeping your home. While real estate is one of the best investments you can make, you generally have to hold onto the property for 7-10 years to get a good return on your investment. While rent can never be recouped, you don’t lose money when you rent either. In the current market, rent prices will continue to go up significantly, at least for the next 18 months. Paying rent each month means less money in your bank account for a downpayment for a house you own. Once again, get input from realtors, lenders, trusted friends, and people working on your divorce team who are experts in their field. Listen to their advice rather than make decisions based on emotion. Taking the next step in the process of selling or keeping your marital home as part of a [larger division of assets](https://mahlenfinancial.com/how-to-divide-non-retirement-investments-in-your-divorce/) isn’t simple. There are a variety of factors to consider and [Amy Mahlen of A.M. Financial](https://mahlenfinancial.com/contact-us/) can support your decision by providing insight into the financial aspects of this decision. If you have additional questions about the Denver real estate market and what to expect from the current market dynamics, [contact Shirley Jenkins](https://shirleyjenkins.kw.com/) to learn more. - - - - - [mailto:?subject='https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/home-in-divorce'](mailto:?subject='https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/home-in-divorce') [Divorce](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/divorce), [Property Division](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/property-division), [Financial Planning](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/financial-planning), [Property](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/property) ### Related Posts ## [What is a Loan Assumption?](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/what-is-a-loan-assumption) Deciding the fate of [marital property](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/separate-vs-marital-property) is a crucial aspect of any divorce settlement. The process... [CONTINUE READING](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/what-is-a-loan-assumption) ## [Options to Handle Rental Properties in a Divorce](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/rental-properties-mahlen-financial) While there is so much to sort through in a divorce, splitting up rental properties can add... [CONTINUE READING](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/rental-properties-mahlen-financial) ## [Should I Move Out Before Filing for Divorce? A Financial Perspective](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/should-i-move-out-before-filing-for-divorce-a-financial-perspective) One of the questions I hear as a [Certified Divorce Financial Analyst](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/certified-financial-divorce-analyst-a-m-financial) (CDFA) is, “Should I move out... [CONTINUE READING](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/should-i-move-out-before-filing-for-divorce-a-financial-perspective) ### Posts by Tag - [Divorce (59)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/divorce) - [Finances (39)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/finances) - [Divorce Budgeting (33)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/divorce-budgeting) - [Planning (33)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/planning) - [Financial Planning (28)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/financial-planning) - [Budgeting (23)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/budgeting) - [Taxes (20)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/taxes) - [Assets (10)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/assets) - [Retirement Accounts (10)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/retirement-accounts) - [Divorce Options and Methods (9)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/divorce-options-and-methods) - [Maintenance (9)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/maintenance) - [Child Support (8)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/child-support) - [Investments (8)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/investments) - [Retirement (8)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/retirement) - [Property (7)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/property) - [Real Estate (7)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/real-estate) - [Spousal Support (7)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/spousal-support) - [Emotions (6)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/emotions) - [Family (6)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/family) - [Mediation (5)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/mediation) - [Property Division (5)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/property-division) - [Separation (4)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/separation) - [Co-Parenting (3)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/co-parenting) - [Coaching (3)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/coaching) - [Court (3)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/court) - [Estate Planning (3)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/estate-planning) - [Kids (3)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/kids) - [Retirement Planning (3)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/retirement-planning) - [Tips (3)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/tips) - [Counseling (2)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/counseling) - [Home (2)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/home) - [Interest Rates (2)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/interest-rates) - [Lawyer (2)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/lawyer) - [Mediator (2)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/mediator) - [CFI (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/cfi) - [College (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/college) - [Do It Yourself (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/do-it-yourself) - [Gifts (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/gifts) - [Healthcare (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/healthcare) - [Inflation (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/inflation) - [Insurance (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/insurance) - [Litigation (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/litigation) - [PRE (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/pre) - [Remarriage (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/remarriage) - [Stock (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/stock) - [Stock Market (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/stock-market) - [Transfers (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/transfers) - [Travel (1)](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/tag/travel) See all ##### About Amy With compassion and patience, Amy focuses on her client’s unique priorities to build a financial road map that provides clarity to make informed decisions today regarding the future. ##### Links - [Home](https://amf-divorce.com) - [Services](https://amf-divorce.com/divorce-transition-services) - [Our Blog](https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog) - [About Amy](https://amf-divorce.com/about-amy) - [Contact Us](https://amf-divorce.com/contact-us) - [Schedule a Meeting](https://calendly.com/amymahlenmelander) ©2026 Copyright. All rights reserved. A.M. Financial provides supporting financial information, evaluation and analysis to be utilized by the client and the client’s selected attorney if directed, during the process of their divorce. ervices provided in regards to this agreement are solely fee-only and do not involve investment or security advice or insurance transactions. All information is financial in nature and should not be construed or relied upon as legal or tax advice. A.M. Financial IS NOT AN ATTORNEY AND DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. Individuals are encouraged to seek competent legal and tax advice from professionals who specialize in divorce and tax laws in their respective state. Amy Melander (CRD #4692263) is an Investment Adviser Representative of OneDigital Investment Advisors, LLC (ODIA). ODIA and A.M. Financial are independent and unaffiliated entities. ODIA does not offer or provide divorce financial planning services and any statements and/or opinions expressed by A.M. Financial do not represent the views and/or opinions of ODIA.   This website is a publication of A.M. Financial. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Content should not be viewed as personalized investment advice or as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies presented. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Amy Mahlen", "url" : "https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/author/amy-mahlen" }, "dateModified" : "2023-06-01T12:43:46.630Z", "datePublished" : "2022-06-01T12:39:47.000Z", "headline" : "What should we do with the home in our divorce?  - Mahlen Financial", "image" : [ "https://amf-divorce.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/qtq80-QV5ycb.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/home-in-divorce", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://amf-divorce.com/hubfs/amf-divorce-logo.jpg" } } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "If you are going through a divorce, one of the top questions likely on your mind is what to do with your marital home. This decision has financial, emotional, educational, and even social implications. Market conditions and current real estate dynamics can also play into how you divide your home. Recently, we talked with a Denver real estate expert, Shirley Jenkins, to get some insights on handling real estate during a divorce. In this post, Shirley outlines four considerations to keep in mind when weighing the pros and cons of selling your marital home. Financial Considerations First and foremost, either party who wishes to keep the marital home should meet with a financial specialist to understand whether financing the home on their own is an option. A financial advisor or lender can help you understand your bottom line numbers, determine whether you have sufficient assets, and help you understand the tax consequences of selling versus keeping your marital home. Regardless of what you decide to do with the home, recognize how important it is to meet with experts who will prevent you from making decisions based on emotions. Instead, experts ranging from financial advisors to tax specialists to mortgage lenders will give you facts and objective opinions based on numbers. A financial advisor or certified financial divorce analyst can help you understand whether you can afford your home right now. They can also help connect with experts who can pre-qualify you for another home purchase if you want to see what options are out there. However, many lenders will pre-qualify you at the top of your range and underestimate the additional expenses of owning a home, including maintenance costs and taxes. Right now, many people buy a home over the list price based on appraisals of recent sales in the neighborhood, and many homes are currently overvalued. These dynamics lead to higher tax bills because taxes are based on your assessment value. Therefore, if you end up buying a new home, and buying high, you will have to pay significantly more on taxes than you likely planned for when you were prequalified for your home loan. This, combined with common job changes during a divorce and current market declines can inflate your overall home costs even more. Emotional Considerations Once you understand whether you have the financial means to keep your marital home, it’s time to consider the emotional element of this decision. Ask yourself whether you want the home and the memories that go along with it. Some divorcing couples tend to relive those memories again, ranging from good memories of bringing your kids home from the hospital as newborns to remembering rooms where heated arguments occurred during the marriage. Sometimes, a divorce is a great time for a fresh start and it is in your emotional best interest to detach from that part of your previous life. No matter what you decide about the emotional aspects of the home, once you decide you want to sell it, it’s important to make a mental transition into seeing your home as real estate without the emotional attachment of the memories. You can take the memories with you, but decoupling the emotions from your home will make the sale easier. Timing Because market uncertainty, lending options, and even the age of your children are important considerations in selling a home (and purchasing a new one), it’s critical to consider timing as an element of this decision. For example, you may have a child with special needs or a particular attachment to a school that would make it extra difficult to move out of the neighborhood. You may be facing economic conditions that make it difficult to get a reasonable loan or are in-between jobs, which could make it nearly impossible to qualify for the size of mortgage you need. Notice how the particular timing of this situation impacts your decision to sell now, sell later, or keep the marital home. Option to Rent Sometimes, selling your marital home and renting is a great option, especially if you are in a situation where you could lose money keeping your home. While real estate is one of the best investments you can make, you generally have to hold onto the property for 7-10 years to get a good return on your investment. While rent can never be recouped, you don’t lose money when you rent either. In the current market, rent prices will continue to go up significantly, at least for the next 18 months. Paying rent each month means less money in your bank account for a downpayment for a house you own. Once again, get input from realtors, lenders, trusted friends, and people working on your divorce team who are experts in their field. Listen to their advice rather than make decisions based on emotion. Taking the next step in the process of selling or keeping your marital home as part of a larger division of assets isn’t simple. There are a variety of factors to consider and Amy Mahlen of A.M. Financial can support your decision by providing insight into the financial aspects of this decision. If you have additional questions about the Denver real estate market and what to expect from the current market dynamics, contact Shirley Jenkins to learn more.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Amy Mahlen", "sameAs" : "", "url" : "https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/author/amy-mahlen" }, "dateModified" : "01/06/2022", "datePublished" : "01/06/2022", "headline" : "What should we do with the home in our divorce?", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/39875594/Imported_Blog_Media/qtq80-QV5ycb.jpeg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://amf-divorce.com/our-blog/home-in-divorce", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "" }, "name" : "A.M. Financial", "url" : "amf-divorce.com" } } ```