- MLS listing facts require independent confirmation
- Permits, title, insurance and financing are property-specific
- Source links are informational, not endorsements
Create a neutral, practical property preparation plan
Agree, where legally possible, on how access, photography, repairs, valuables, staging expenses and showing schedules will be handled. Establish one approved source for answering buyer questions and transmitting disclosures. Property condition, permits and title obligations still require accurate investigation even when the owners disagree about value. Use comparable sales in the actual San Diego submarket rather than an emotional purchase history or desired settlement amount. Distinguish property tax, mortgage payoff, liens and brokerage obligations from the parties' separate legal allocation of proceeds. A home can be marketed with neutral language while details of the owners' personal circumstances remain private.
Prevent unclear instructions at offer and closing stages
Ask the appropriate advisers to determine who can accept or counter offers, approve repairs and sign escrow paperwork. Written authorization and dated decisions protect the transaction from contradictory instructions. Discuss how net proceeds may be held or distributed under the relevant agreements and court requirements; do not assume escrow decides the couple's legal allocation. If one co-owner is remaining in the home until closing, specify access and possession arrangements in writing. Financing or appraisal delays can interfere with personal deadlines, so plan alternatives instead of guaranteeing a certain closing date. This guide is about process, not legal advice about divorce rights.