You may want to sell your house fast in Pittsburgh for multiple reasons. However, if you co-own the property with a partner and they refuse to sell, your home-selling journey becomes more complicated. Learning how to sell a house when one partner refuses can help you decide the best approach for your situation.
Why Would a Partner Refuse To Sell a Jointly Owned Home?
Just like you may have different reasons for wanting to sell your house, your partner may have specific reasons to keep the house or prevent its sale. Common reasons that a joint homeowner may refuse to sell include:
- Emotional attachment to the residence
- Unresolved issues with the other partner
- Lack of trust in the other partner’s ability to act in their best interests
- Worries about finances and a fair distribution of the sale proceeds
Understanding why your partner refuses to sell can help you both reach a practical solution.
Legal Considerations for Selling Jointly Owned Property
Understanding co-ownership starts with joint tenancy, which is the most common type of co-ownership. Joint tenancy is when two or more people own property with equal rights and responsibilities. If one owner dies, their share automatically goes to the surviving co-owner.
Tenancy in common is similar to joint tenancy, but shares can be equal or unequal, depending on the owners’ agreement. However, it doesn’t include a right to survivorship.
In some cases, a property settlement agreement may outline how co-owners should divide or sell real estate during a separation or divorce. Reviewing this document can help determine each person’s legal rights and responsibilities before proceeding with the sale.
How To Sell a House When One Partner Refuses
Consider these options if you’re ready to sell your home, but your partner is not.
Ask for a Buyout
You may be able to persuade your reluctant partner to agree to a buyout. In this case, your co-owner will refinance the mortgage and have the deed solely in their name. This process allows the co-owner to purchase your share of the property.
Offer a Financial Incentive
If the reason for the home sale refusal is financial, consider offering a financial incentive. Instead of splitting the proceeds evenly, you may offer your partner a larger share of the sale or agree to cover the real estate agent fees.
Take the Legal Route
If you can’t agree to the sale, you could hire a real estate attorney and file a partition action in court. Depending on your situation, the judge may issue a court-ordered sale with split proceeds. However, this approach can take months to resolve, and it’s expensive.
Get a Cash Offer for Your Home With Sell Pittsburgh Now, LLC
Understanding how to sell a house when one partner refuses can help you navigate complex disputes and protect your financial interests while moving forward with the sale.
Whether dealing with a house with title issues or disagreements between co-owners, Sell Pittsburgh Now, LLC, can help you sell your house fast. We make fair cash offers for homes in any condition, regardless of the homeowner’s current circumstances. Start your quote today by calling (412) 275-5238.