When a couple is navigating divorce, the home becomes more than real estate. It’s stability, it’s memories, and it’s often the biggest financial asset in the picture. And while many people assume they have to sell immediately, that’s not always true. Sometimes the smartest move is a deferred sale.
A deferred sale simply means you both agree to wait before selling the home. Maybe you want your kids to finish the school year. Maybe the market is soft and you’d get a stronger price by waiting. Or maybe one of you needs breathing room before making a big move.
A deferred sale can be the perfect solution… but only if it’s handled with structure, clarity, and absolutely zero “handshake agreements.”
What Makes a Deferred Sale Work?
A successful deferred sale requires one thing above all else:
Everything must be in writing.
Here are the essentials that must be nailed down in the settlement agreement:
1. Who pays for what?
Mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA, utilities — clarity today prevents fighting tomorrow.
2. Who handles repairs and maintenance?
The day the water heater dies is not the time to debate responsibility.
3. What happens if someone stops paying?
Life gets messy. Protect yourselves by deciding upfront how missed payments are handled.
4. What triggers the sale?
This is the make-or-break detail. The trigger could be:
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A specific date
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A child’s graduation
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A refinance deadline
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A life event, such as one party moving out
Without a clear trigger, deferred sales have a way of dragging out far longer than anyone intended.
Why You Need a Team Behind You
I’ve seen deferred sales bring peace, stability, and financial protection but only when the agreement is airtight and reviewed by the right professionals. Your attorney, your CDLP, and your Realtor should all be involved to ensure the plan works for both of you not just today, but years down the road.
A deferred sale is a tool. Like any tool, it can build something solid… or cause real damage if misused.
Thinking about a deferred sale?
Let’s walk through the financial and logistical pieces together so you both stay protected and in control.
