Divorce is hard enough without a house to figure out. The home is often the biggest thing a couple owns together, and it can carry a lot of memories, emotion and money worries. Whether you’re just starting the process or have a court date coming up, here’s a practical look at your options for the house in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and the Tri-Cities.
One note before we start: we’re home buyers, not attorneys. Every divorce is different, so please talk with your divorce attorney before you make decisions about the house.
Step 1: Find out who owns the house
Start with the basics. Whose names are on the title, and whose names are on the mortgage? Those aren’t always the same.
Both Washington and Idaho are community property states. In general, property acquired during the marriage is treated as belonging to both spouses, even if only one name is on the title. How the house is divided depends on your agreement or the court’s decision, and things like a home owned before the marriage or bought with inherited money can change the picture. Your attorney can tell you how it applies to you. In most cases, expect that both spouses will need to agree to, and sign for, a sale.
Step 2: Understand your three main options
Sell the house and split the proceeds
This is often the cleanest option. You sell, pay off the mortgage and any liens, and divide what’s left according to your agreement or court order. Neither of you is tied to the other through a shared mortgage afterward.
To make it go smoothly, agree in writing on the asking price, who makes decisions, how repairs and bills are paid until closing, and how the proceeds get divided. A neutral mediator can help if conversations are tense.
One spouse buys the other out
If one of you wants to stay, that person usually needs to refinance the mortgage into their name alone and borrow enough to pay the other spouse their share of the equity. This depends on qualifying for a new loan on one income, and current interest rates may make the new payment higher than the old one. Get pre-approved early so you know whether it’s realistic.
Keep it together and sell later
Some couples keep the house for a while, for example until the kids finish the school year. It can work, but it takes a lot of trust. You both stay on the mortgage, both stay responsible for payments, and you’ll have to agree on repairs and timing later. Put the terms in writing.
Step 3: Keep the house from becoming a problem
During a divorce, it’s easy for the house to slip through the cracks. A few things to sort out right away:
- Who pays the mortgage? Missed payments hurt both of your credit scores and can lead to foreclosure.
- Who pays the utilities? We’ve seen houses go without heat because each spouse thought the other was paying. In an Inland Northwest winter, that can mean frozen pipes.
- Who is living there and keeping it up? An empty house needs someone checking on it, shoveling the walk and watching for leaks.
- How are repairs paid for? If the house needs work before it sells, agree on how the cost is split.
The timeline question
Timing often matters a lot in a divorce. A traditional listing can take weeks or months to find a buyer, then more time to close, and the house has to be kept show-ready the whole time. That can be tough when one spouse has moved out, belongings are being divided, and nerves are frayed.
If one person has already moved out, the house may need cleaning, staging or repairs to show well. Who pays for those, and who manages them, can become one more thing to argue about.
How a direct cash sale can help
For many couples, a quick, simple sale takes a lot of pressure off. When you sell to Backyard Home Buyers:
- You get one clear number. A fair cash offer, usually within 24 hours, that you can both review with your attorneys.
- No repairs or cleanup. We buy as-is, so there’s nothing to fix, stage or divide up first.
- No showings. No keeping the house spotless or coordinating schedules for strangers to walk through.
- A closing date that fits your case. We can close in as little as 7 days, or on the date that works with your agreement or court timeline.
- No fees or commissions, and we pay the closing costs, so there are fewer line items to split.
- Need time to move? Rent-backs are available if one of you needs to stay a short while after closing.
The title company handles the money at closing and pays it out according to your instructions, which keeps things neutral. Many couples find that helpful.
A few final tips
- Talk to your attorney before you sign anything about the house.
- Get a realistic idea of value. Our post on figuring out what your house is worth can help.
- Keep communication about the house in writing.
- Try to keep the house decision separate from the emotional parts of the divorce. It’s a financial decision first.
We’re here to help, without pressure
We’re a local, family-owned company. Both owners were born and raised in the Inland Northwest, and since 2019 we’ve done over 500 deals, some of them from couples going through exactly this. We’ll treat your situation with respect and give you straight answers.
We buy homes in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and the Tri-Cities. Read how it works, or call (509) 461-9079 to talk confidentially about your options.