The Do’s and Don’ts of Buying or Renting Homes During A Divorce

Whether you’re being issued divorce papers or you’re already in the midst of your divorce process, eventually you will need to consider your options for buying or renting a new home. There are no one-size fits all scenarios when it comes to a divorce case, and because each situation is different, you should always consider consulting your attorney before making any rash decisions on renting or buying a home.

Divorce attorneys are there to help guide you through the legal process and act as an advocate for all decisions made before, during, and after. Mr. David Badanes, Esq. of Badanes Law Office has provided insight on what to do and what not to do when it comes to finding a new place of residence exploring budget, maintenance, size, and location.

What to Do:

• Build a Budget: Make sure you have the budget to buy or rent a home after the divorce – remember you most likely will have less income after the divorce is finalized. Before you even start looking for a new place to stay it is helpful to establish a budget range taking into consideration your new source of income, legal fees, and additional costs you may have not been covering on your own.
• Evaluate Your Needs: Every divorce is different and there are a number of outside elements to keep in mind as you start to establish what you’re looking for in a home. Ask yourself questions relating to the size of your family, who you might want visiting, and your child’s needs. You will want to be sure that the new house is not too big or too small and if you have children that the new home is close to your ex-spouse and perhaps in an area that has other children.
• Visit On-Site: Ever see something that looks too good to be true online? While sometimes that’s just the case and it’s entirely different once you see it in person. It is essential that you take the time to visit each place you’re considering on-site when shopping for a new home. You should also go with a friend or family member to get a second opinion.
• Make a Pros and Cons List: After you begin finding some homes to consider, you may want to build out a pros and cons list for each home in consideration. You can make a spreadsheet outlining each home and benefits and drawbacks of items like maintenance, amenities, size, location, and more.
• Read the Agreements: Whether you plan on buying or renting, you need to read the agreements extremely closely and more than once. It is a big decision to be making and going through a divorce is stressful enough. The last thing you need is to add to your stress by signing a lease or deposit before knowing what you are getting yourself into.

What Not to Do:

• Avoid Fixer Uppers: If you are going to buy, then you may not want to take on a house that needs a lot of work. Often times these houses sell for an attractive price, but you may not have the money to fix it up. Additionally, if you plan on renting, it is not worth putting extra time and money into renovations when you may not be there for too long.
• Don’t Go Alone: The process of finding a new home can be a scary and overwhelming. There is no need to go through it alone – so find a friend or loved one to join you on the journey. It will be great to have a second pair of eyes and good company can make an otherwise daunting task feel more enjoyable.
• Don’t Rush the Process: A divorce is not always quick and easy, and more often than not it takes a lot of time to get the results you want. Similarly, a new home for yourself is a big decision to make and you want to carefully consider all of your options before pulling trigger.

No matter the case or background on the divorce, often it will result in someone moving into a new place of residence. These recommendations from Mr. David Badanes Esq. are there to help make your process as quick and easy as possible.

David Badanes, Esq. and the Badanes Law Office, P.C. provides real-world advice to help you through this challenging time. If you are contemplating getting a divorce, and need an attorney to represent you, call David Badanes and the Badanes Law Office today at 631-239-1702, email at david@dbnylaw.com or visit our web site: www.dbnylaw.com. The Badanes Law Office has offices in Northport, Suffolk County and Uniondale, Nassau County.

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