Selling a House During Divorce in South Carolina
Divorce is emotional, complicated, and often overwhelming — especially when a house or marital home is involved. In South Carolina, decisions about the property can impact your finances, your credit, and how quickly you’re able to move on.
If you’re going through a divorce and need to sell your home in South Carolina, you don’t have to navigate everything alone. Understanding your options early can help you avoid drawn-out disagreements, missed payments, or even foreclosure. We routinely help South Carolina homeowners who need to sell a house or mobile home as-is, even when it needs major repairs or updating — especially in high-demand markets like Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Columbia, and Lexington..
Understanding the Legal Side of Selling a House During Divorce in South Carolina
When you’re going through a divorce, the house is often one of the largest and most emotional assets. South Carolina is an equitable distribution state, which means the court focuses on a fair — not always 50/50 — split of marital property. Because every situation is different, it’s important to understand how selling the house may affect both spouses. We’re not attorneys, and this isn’t legal advice, so we always recommend speaking with a South Carolina divorce attorney about your specific situation.
Key Things to Consider Before Selling a House During Divorce
1. Consult With a South Carolina Divorce Attorney
Before you make any decisions about the house, it’s important to consult with a divorce attorney in South Carolina. They can explain how the court may view your property, what equity you may be entitled to, and how selling now versus later could affect your case. Once you understand your legal options, it becomes much easier to decide whether a traditional listing or a quick cash sale is the best fit.
2. Get Clear on Your Financial Picture
During divorce, it’s common for income to change while expenses stay the same or even increase. Look at your current mortgage balance, monthly payments, equity, and any late or missed payments. Consider whether either spouse can realistically afford to keep the home long-term. If the payment, taxes, insurance, or maintenance are already a struggle, selling the house and splitting the cash may help both of you reset more quickly. If the home needs repairs you can’t afford, or if it’s an older mobile home that’s hard to finance, selling as-is to a local cash buyer may protect both your credit and your timeline.
3. Communicate About the House Early
Clear communication about the house can prevent a lot of conflict later. Even if things are tense, try to agree on basic goals: Do you both want to sell? Is one person hoping to keep the home? Are you both open to a cash sale for speed and simplicity? Having a shared understanding early can help your attorney, your mediator, and your buyer move things forward without constant arguments.
4. Decide What Matters Most: Time, Price, or Simplicity
Some couples want to hold out for every last dollar, while others simply want a fair offer and a clean break. Before listing, discuss your priorities: Is your main goal to sell quickly so you can finalize the divorce? Are you trying to avoid missed payments and damage to your credit? Do you want to avoid repairing, cleaning, and showing the house while emotions are high? Your answers will help you decide whether to list with an agent or sell directly to a local cash home buyer.
5. Choose the Right Selling Strategy for Your Situation
Many divorcing couples automatically think “realtor and MLS” when they think about selling, but that isn’t the only path. A traditional agent may be a good fit if the house is in great condition and both spouses are willing to wait months for showings, negotiations, and repairs. If you’re looking for a faster, simpler option, you can also consider selling directly to a local South Carolina cash home buyer who can purchase the property as-is without commissions or contingencies.
6. Think About How Much Time and Energy You Have
Preparing a house for the market takes work — cleaning, staging, repairs, and keeping everything show-ready. When you’re juggling attorneys, paperwork, kids’ schedules, and major life changes, that may not be realistic. Be honest about how much energy you have for repairs and showings. If the answer is “not much,” a straightforward cash sale can remove a big source of pressure during an already difficult season.
The Traditional Process of Selling a House During Divorce in South Carolina
Most couples are familiar with the traditional route: hiring a real estate agent, listing on the MLS, and waiting for a buyer. This can work well for some situations, but it can also feel slow and stressful during a divorce. Below is a general overview of how the traditional sales process usually works in South Carolina so you can compare it to a direct sale to a cash buyer and decide what fits your situation best.
1. Valuing the Property
To set a listing price, you’ll typically have a professional valuation done. This could be a formal appraisal or a market analysis prepared by an agent. The report looks at recent sales in areas like Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Columbia, and Lexington to estimate what your home might sell for. You can also request a no-obligation cash offer from a local home buyer to compare what you’d net selling as-is versus making repairs and listing the property. Some divorcing couples also request a cash offer at the same time so they can compare a fast sale versus listing on the open market.
2. Listing the House on the Market
Once you’ve agreed on a price, your agent will create a listing, take photos, and publish your home on the MLS and other websites. The property is then marketed to buyers across the Upstate and Midlands. During this time, you’ll need to keep the home clean and ready for showings, which can be difficult when two people are separating and schedules are changing.
3. Negotiating With Buyers and With Each Other
When offers come in, you and your spouse will need to agree on how to respond — countering, accepting, or rejecting. At the same time, you may be negotiating repairs, closing dates, and concessions with the buyer. If communication is already strained, even routine decisions about the sale can lead to conflict. Many couples rely on their attorneys or mediator to help keep these discussions on track.
4. Inspection, Repairs, and Contingencies
Most financed buyers will order an inspection, and many contracts allow them to ask for repairs, credits, or a price reduction if major issues are found. During divorce, this can be especially stressful: you’ll need to decide who pays for what, whether to complete repairs, and how to respond if the buyer threatens to walk away. If the deal collapses, you may have to start the process over from the beginning.
5. Closing the Sale and Dividing the Proceeds
After inspections, appraisal, and lender approval, you’ll move to closing. Your attorney and agent will help with the paperwork, and the mortgage, taxes, commissions, and other closing costs will be paid from the sale proceeds. The remaining funds are then distributed according to your divorce agreement or court order. For some couples this process goes smoothly, but for others it can take months and involve multiple setbacks along the way.
If you’d rather avoid months of showings, repairs, and negotiations, you can skip many of these steps by selling directly to a local South Carolina cash buyer who purchases houses during divorce as-is, without bank financing or contingencies.
Selling Your Home During Divorce Is Easier With a Local Cash Offer
Other Options for the House When You’re Going Through a Divorce
1. Paying Off the Mortgage or Considering a Short Sale
Sometimes one or both spouses want to keep the home and simply pay off the remaining balance over time. In other cases, the mortgage balance is higher than what the house is worth in today’s market. If you owe more than your home’s value, you may need to pay off the difference on the loan or pursue a short sale. A short sale can reduce what you owe but may affect both spouses’ credit, so it’s important to talk with your attorney and lender before moving forward.
Issues With Short Sales During Divorce
Short sales are often slow and paperwork-heavy. Both spouses must cooperate with the lender, provide detailed financial information, and wait for bank approval. While a short sale may help you avoid foreclosure, it can still hurt your credit and doesn’t always wipe out the remaining balance. For some South Carolina couples, exploring a direct cash sale to a local buyer before going the short-sale route can provide a simpler solution.
2. Refinancing the House Into One Spouse’s Name
Another option is for one spouse to keep the home and refinance the mortgage into their own name. This may make sense if one person is strongly attached to the house and can comfortably afford the payment, taxes, and upkeep on a single income. However, refinancing after divorce usually requires good credit, enough income, and equity in the property — and the spouse who moves out may still need cash to restart elsewhere.
If the house or mobile home needs significant repairs, refinancing might not solve the underlying problem, and a clean as-is sale can sometimes make more sense for both of you.
3. One Spouse Keeps the Home While Both Stay on the Loan
In some cases, one spouse remains in the house but both names stay on the mortgage. This can be risky. If the person living in the home falls behind on payments, the other person’s credit can be damaged as well. It may also make it harder for the spouse who moved out to qualify for a new mortgage. If refinancing isn’t possible and neither of you wants this kind of long-term financial tie, selling the house and splitting the proceeds may be a cleaner way to move forward.
“This Company Is Top Notch”
I found Table Rock Homebuyers from a web search. I contacted them and immediately got a response. The next day I spoke to Teri and he was so helpful. I was trying to sell a property from afar and he did everything plus some to assist. When we ran into a snag he was still willing to help me even if it meant he wasn’t getting much (if any) profit. This company is top notch. I would highly recommend using them. I have already recommended them to a friend.
Cheryl Krueger – West Columbia, South Carolina 29169
How to Sell Your House Fast During a Divorce in South Carolina
Selling a house during divorce is often the hardest part of separating financially. Arguments over pricing, repairs, or timing can delay the sale and even put the home at risk of late payments or foreclosure. The more you and your spouse can agree on a plan for the house, the easier it will be to protect your credit, divide the equity, and move on with your lives.
Is South Carolina a Community Property State?
South Carolina is not a community property state. Instead, it uses “equitable distribution,” which means the court focuses on what is fair based on things like the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income, contributions to the home, and future needs. Because of this, how the sale proceeds from your house are split can depend on many details — not just whose name is on the deed or mortgage.
Your divorce attorney can explain how the law may apply in your specific situation. Because every divorce and every property is different — especially when a house or mobile home needs repairs — it helps to have both a local attorney and a trusted cash home buyer on your team. Both options can work, but if your home needs repairs or you’re dealing with an older mobile home in the Upstate or Midlands, a direct as-is cash sale from a South Carolina cash home buyer often creates a simpler path forward.
Listing With a Realtor vs. Selling to a Local Cash Buyer
Many couples automatically think about hiring a realtor, listing the home on the MLS, and waiting for a financed buyer. That can work if the house is in great shape and both spouses are willing to deal with showings, repairs, and months of uncertainty. But during a divorce, all of that can add unnecessary stress and keep you financially tied together longer than either of you wants.
A traditional listing in South Carolina usually means:
- Cleaning, staging, and keeping the house show-ready
- Allowing strangers to tour the property while you’re splitting up
- Inspection repairs, appraisal delays, and lender requirements
- Commission costs, closing costs, and possible price reductions
- Months of waiting while you’re trying to finalize the divorce
Sell Your House to a Local South Carolina Cash Home Buyer
Selling directly to a local cash buyer like Table Rock Homebuyers gives divorcing couples another option. We buy houses in any condition in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Columbia, Lexington, and nearby South Carolina areas. There are no showings, no repairs, and no bank approvals — just a straightforward cash offer and a closing date that works for everyone involved.
Here’s what couples going through divorce often appreciate most about selling to us:
- We buy your house as-is — you don’t have to fix or clean anything
- No realtor commissions or hidden fees taken out of your equity
- You choose the closing date that fits your divorce timeline
- We work directly with both spouses — and your attorney if needed — to keep the process transparent, simple, and respectful.
- The process is private and low-stress compared to listing on the MLS
If you need to sell your South Carolina house fast during a divorce and want to explore a simple cash sale, call us at 864-272-5400 or request your cash offer online. We’ll listen to your situation, give you a fair, no-obligation offer, and let you decide what’s best for you — with no pressure.
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Frequent Questions
Get answers to more common questions about selling a house fast in South Carolina — whether you’re dealing with divorce, foreclosure, or a house that needs repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling a House During Divorce in South Carolina
Can we sell our house during a divorce in South Carolina if both of our names are on the title?
Yes. In most cases, you can sell a jointly owned house during a divorce in South Carolina. Both spouses will typically need to sign the closing documents and agree on how the sale proceeds are divided. Your divorce attorney and closing attorney can help structure the sale so it lines up with your settlement or court order.
What happens if my spouse refuses to cooperate with selling the house?
If one spouse will not cooperate, you may need legal help to move forward. Your divorce attorney can explain whether the court can order the house to be sold, or whether one spouse can buy out the other’s share. When both parties are willing to work together, a direct sale to a local cash buyer can make the process much smoother and reduce conflict.
Can we sell the house before the divorce is finalized?
Yes, many couples choose to sell before the divorce is final. The important part is deciding how the proceeds will be handled — for example, whether they go into an escrow or trust account until the judge signs the final order. Talk with your attorney before closing so everyone is on the same page about where the money goes and how it will be divided.
How are sale proceeds usually divided between divorcing spouses in South Carolina?
South Carolina courts look at many factors — including income, length of the marriage, contributions to the home, and each spouse’s needs — when deciding what is fair. There isn’t a fixed 50/50 rule. Your attorney can help you understand what an “equitable” split might look like for your case. The closing process is the same whether you sell to a traditional buyer or a local cash home buyer; the difference is how quickly and simply you get to the closing table.
Can I buy another property after we sell the house during our divorce?
Often, yes — but it depends on your income, debts, credit score, and how your divorce settlement is structured. Some people choose to rent for a season to rebuild savings and see how their new budget feels. A fast, predictable cash sale can give you clarity about how much money you’ll walk away with so you can plan your next home with confidence.
What if our house doesn’t sell while we’re going through the divorce process?
If your house isn’t selling on the open market, you may need to adjust the price, make repairs, or consider a different selling strategy. For many divorcing couples, selling directly to a local cash home buyer provides a backup plan. At Table Rock Homebuyers, we can often step in with a fair cash offer so you don’t have to keep waiting, worrying about showings, or risking missed payments. Because we’re a local South Carolina cash home buyer, we can often step in quickly with a straightforward as-is offer so you don’t have to keep lowering your price or paying holding costs.
Can we sell our house or mobile home during a divorce if it needs a lot of repairs?
Yes. At Table Rock Homebuyers, we buy houses and mobile homes in South Carolina in as-is condition, even if they need major repairs, updating, or clean-out. You don’t have to agree on contractors, spend money on fixes, or worry about inspections — we simply make a fair cash offer and handle the details so both of you can move on.
Tips For South Carolina As-Is Home Sellers
Looking for more guidance? These resources are written for South Carolina homeowners who need to sell a house or mobile home that needs repairs fast, for cash, and as-is, especially in the Upstate and Midlands — including Upstate South Carolina, Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Columbia, and Lexington.
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