Kathleen S. Turner, SRES®, SFR® - COMPLETE GUIDE TO SELLING YOUR HOME FOR MORE

relationship and difference between a mortgage deed and a property title. Mortgages are conditional legal agreements made for buying a property/home. The lender’s security interest is on record when the title is registered. The mortgagee (lender) may obtain a foreclosure order to take possession if payments of the debt are in default. A property title refers to ownership of that property and the right to use it. A person on the title can transfer ownership to another party, but can’t transfer more than s/he owns. Some divorcing couples use a quitclaim deed, which transfers ownership from one spouse to another, but it doesn’t transfer financial responsibility of the mortgage payment. The loan payments are the responsibility of the parties on the mortgage and an action between those persons doesn’t affect the rights of the mortgagor. To change the names on the mortgage, one spouse must obtain financing to buy out the other. All discussions regarding mortgages, quitclaim deeds, and title of property should be conducted with your legal advisor.

SELLING THE HOME

For most couples going through a divorce, selling the home is usually the best solution. Selling a home under any circumstances takes a great deal of time and effort, so the addition of the emotional stress of divorce can make the task overwhelming. It even makes it more difficult when children are involved. Some couples have decided not to sell the family home in order to keep the children from added stress or to keep them in the same school system.

LEGALITIES

The termination of a marriage requires the division of real

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