Deciding when to sell the marital home — before or after the divorce — is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions a Colorado couple will make. There is no single right answer. Instead, the best timing depends on your finances, legal strategy, family dynamics, and long-term goals.

In this guide, Jason and Carrie Levi of The Levi Group break down the advantages and disadvantages of both options so you can make a confident and well-informed decision.

Why the Timing of Your Home Sale Matters

In Colorado, the marital home is often the largest shared asset. When you sell affects:

• Your financial settlement
  
  
• Tax considerations
  
  
• Temporary orders
  
  
• Housing plans for each spouse
  
  
• Stress levels and conflict
  
  
• How quickly each person can move forward
  
  

Selling too early can feel rushed. Selling too late can become complicated.
This is why couples rely on Jason and Carrie’s neutral, steady guidance during the decision-making process.

Selling the House Before the Divorce: Pros and Cons

Advantages of Selling Before Finalizing the Divorce

1. Cleaner financial settlement

Once the home sells, the equity is clear and easy to divide.
This removes guesswork during the divorce process.

2. Easier budgeting for both spouses

Both parties know:

• Their share of proceeds
  
  
• Their new housing costs
  
  
• Whether they can buy or need to rent
  
  

3. Reduced conflict over possession

When neither spouse stays in the home, there’s:

• No fighting over who lives where
  
  
• No disputes over repairs
  
  
• No tension during showings
  
  

4. Stronger buying power

Both spouses may qualify more easily for new mortgages when they are no longer tied to the joint home.

5. May help with temporary orders

If a judge sees that selling reduces hardship, it can support a smoother temporary-orders phase.

Disadvantages of Selling Before Divorce

1. Emotional difficulty

Leaving the home early can feel abrupt, especially for children.

2. Pressure to move quickly

Some couples feel overwhelmed making major decisions fast.

3. Both parties must agree

Without a signed agreement or temporary order, both spouses must consent to:

• The listing
  
  
• The price
  
  
• The offer
  
  
• The timeline
  
  

If conflict is high, selling before divorce may be challenging.

Selling the House After the Divorce: Pros and Cons

Advantages of Selling After Divorce

1. More time to plan life transitions

Some spouses prefer to focus on the emotional side of divorce first.

2. Allows one spouse to remain temporarily

Courts sometimes allow a deferred sale, especially when:

• Children need stability
  
  
• School transitions are a concern
  
  
• Housing availability is limited
  
  

3. Buyout or refinance becomes clearer

Once the settlement is final, one spouse may choose to:

• Buy out the other
  
  
• Refinance into their name
  
  
• Keep the home for a defined period
  
  

4. The market may improve

If conditions are expected to rise in Fort Collins, Broomfield, Denver, or Longmont, waiting may lead to a stronger sale price.

Disadvantages of Selling After Divorce

1. More complicated financial settlement

Property decisions become part of the final divorce orders, which may delay closing.

2. One spouse may feel “stuck”

If one spouse remains in the home:

• Mortgage may strain their income
  
  
• The other spouse remains tied to the loan
  
  
• Maintenance and repairs create friction
  
  

3. Disputes may continue

If communication is difficult, post-divorce home decisions can prolong conflict.

4. Court intervention becomes more likely

Judges step in when spouses cannot agree — which may lead to a court-ordered sale.

Learn more about how courts handle divorce home sales here:
https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/selling-home-after-divorce/

Factors That Help Decide the Best Timing

1. Can either spouse afford the home alone?

Run affordability and refinance scenarios.

2. What are the tax implications?

Consult your attorney or tax professional for Colorado-specific guidance.

3. Do children need short-term housing stability?

Courts sometimes delay sales for minors.

4. Is the Colorado housing market trending up or down?

Jason and Carrie provide neighborhood-specific forecasts for:

• Fort Collins
  
  
• Boulder
  
  
• Denver
  
  
• Broomfield
  
  
• Longmont
  
  

5. What do temporary orders require?

You must follow any court-ordered timelines.

6. Can both spouses cooperate?

If not, waiting may increase tension.

How Jason & Carrie Levi Guide Couples Through the Decision

The Levi Group is uniquely skilled at helping families choose the best time to sell during divorce.
Their approach includes:

Neutral, Professional Guidance

Jason and Carrie serve both parties with transparency and fairness.

Real Market Data

They provide clear pricing estimates using a data-driven CMA tailored to your neighborhood.

Estimate your value here:
https://thelevigroup.net/home-sale-calculator

Clear Communication

Both spouses receive identical updates so no one feels left out.

Flexible Planning

They help you evaluate scenarios:

• Sell now
  
  
• Sell after divorce
  
  
• Buyout
  
  
• Refinance
  
  
• Deferred sale
  
  

Collaboration with Attorneys

Jason and Carrie often coordinate with legal professionals to ensure real estate decisions align with divorce orders.

FAQs About Selling Before or After Divorce in Colorado

Is it better to sell before or after?
It depends. Selling before provides more clarity; selling after offers more flexibility.

Can we sell the home while the divorce is pending?
Yes — if both spouses agree or the court allows it.

Does one spouse get more from the sale?
Colorado uses equitable distribution, not 50/50. Fairness depends on multiple factors.

Can a judge delay the sale?
Yes, especially when children’s stability is involved.

Why Northern Colorado Families Choose Jason & Carrie Levi

Jason and Carrie’s experience with divorce sales makes them one of the most trusted real estate teams in:

• Fort Collins
  
  
• Boulder
  
  
• Denver
  
  
• Broomfield
  
  
• Longmont
  
  

They are known for:

• Calm, neutral guidance
  
  
• Reducing conflict
  
  
• Protecting both parties' interests
  
  
• Achieving strong market results
  
  
• Over $80 million in career sales
  
  
• Ranking among the Top 5% of Realtors in Northern Colorado
  
  

Final Word

Whether you sell before or after your divorce, the decision should be guided by clarity, fairness, and long-term financial stability.
With the right real estate support, you can move forward confidently — even during one of life’s hardest transitions.

For a confidential conversation, reach out to Jason and Carrie Levi at The Levi Group:
https://thelevigroup.net/contact

About The Levi Group

The Levi Group, led by husband-and-wife team Jason and Carrie Levi, with Jason serving as Team Leader and Associate Broker, is one of the Top 5% real-estate teams in Northern Colorado and a trusted authority in divorce, estate, and family property sales. With six years of experience and more than $80 million in transactions, they deliver exceptional results with professionalism and compassion across Fort Collins, Denver, Broomfield, Westminster, and Longmont.