Keeping The House Could Be The Best Decision... Or The Most Expensive Mistake.
The mortgage payment is only part of the equation. Compare life before divorce and after divorce, evaluate affordability, understand financial risk, and determine whether keeping the home is realistically sustainable.
The Question Almost Every Homeowner Asks
Many homeowners assume they can keep the house because they have lived there for years. The real question is whether keeping the home remains financially sustainable after income, support obligations, refinancing requirements, and future expenses are considered.
Life After Divorce Housing Analysis™
Compare household finances before divorce and after divorce.
Monthly Income
Monthly Expenses
Current Scenario Results
Mortgage Qualification Risk Analyzer™
Estimate likelihood of refinance or buyout qualification.
House Poor Risk Analyzer™
Determine whether you may become financially stressed after divorce.
Keep vs Sell Comparison™
Compare the financial impact of keeping vs selling the home.
Disclaimer: These calculators are for educational and informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or lending advice. Actual qualification and affordability depend on lender requirements, credit profile, interest rates, court orders, debt obligations, and the final terms of your divorce settlement. Always consult with licensed professionals before making financial decisions.
Need A Personalized Strategy?
The Costs Most Homeowners Forget To Calculate
Property Taxes
Often rise over time and must be paid individually.
Homeowners Insurance
Premiums can fluctuate and require solitary funding.
HOA Dues
Subject to special assessments and annual increases.
Utilities
Electricity, water, gas, and internet remain the same regardless of occupancy.
Routine Maintenance
Landscaping, HVAC service, pest control, and general upkeep.
Major Repairs
Roof replacement, plumbing emergencies, or appliance failures.
Warning Signs You May Be House Poor
Housing costs exceed 40% of your new individual income
You have less than 3 months of emergency savings
You are relying on child support to cover the mortgage
You have no budget for future home maintenance
You are increasing credit card debt to cover daily living expenses
You are sacrificing retirement contributions to keep the house
Alternatives To Keeping The Home
Sell The Home
Liquidate the asset, divide the equity according to your settlement, and use the proceeds for a fresh start.
Buyout Option
One spouse refinances the home and pays the other spouse their share of the equity.
Delayed Sale
Both parties remain on the mortgage for a set period (often until children graduate) before selling.
Las Vegas Homeowners: Additional Considerations
The Las Vegas and Henderson housing markets experience unique inventory fluctuations and appreciation trends. Understanding local community variations and property tax implications is crucial before finalizing your decision.
Get Local Market Insights
Meet Steve Lockhart
Helping Homeowners Protect Equity And Make Better Property Decisions During Divorce
Divorce creates difficult decisions involving the family home, equity, refinancing, buyouts, timing of a sale, and future housing plans.
Steve Lockhart helps homeowners understand their options before major decisions are made.
As the creator of The Lockhart Method™, publisher of Divorce Is Emotional. Property Is An Asset., and a licensed Nevada REALTOR®, Steve provides educational guidance designed to help homeowners protect equity, reduce uncertainty, and move forward with confidence.
Steve regularly collaborates with attorneys, mediators, mortgage professionals, financial advisors, and valuation experts to support informed decision-making throughout the process.
Property decisions made during divorce often impact equity, affordability, taxes, refinancing options, and future housing opportunities.
The goal is not simply selling a home.
The goal is making the right decision before irreversible choices are made.
DON'T MAKE A PERMANENT FINANCIAL DECISION WITH TEMPORARY INFORMATION
Before making irreversible choices about your home and equity, it is critical to ensure you are asking the right questions. The most expensive property mistakes happen when decisions are rushed without a clear understanding of the long-term financial reality.
Do I Have All Of The Facts?
Decisions made too early often become expensive to reverse.
Am I Making Decisions Based On Emotion Or Long-Term Financial Reality?
Strong emotions are normal. Permanent financial decisions deserve objective information.
Have I Explored Every Available Option?
Many homeowners discover options they never knew existed after speaking with the right professionals.
Who Should Be Helping Me Make This Decision?
Different professionals provide different expertise. Understanding each person's role helps you make better decisions.
What Could This Decision Cost Me Five Years From Now?
Think beyond today's circumstances and consider your long-term financial future.
What Do Homeowners In My Situation Usually Regret?
Learning from others' experiences can help you avoid unnecessary mistakes.
THE LOCKHART METHOD™ INSIGHT
The first step in The Lockhart Method™ is not deciding. The first step is understanding. Because better information almost always leads to better decisions.
THE LOCKHART METHOD™
A BETTER PROCESS LEADS TO BETTER DECISIONS
Most homeowners are forced to make permanent financial decisions during one of the most emotional times in their lives. The Lockhart Method™ provides a structured framework that replaces uncertainty with clarity, helping families evaluate long-term affordability and every option before making life-changing real estate decisions.
Understand Your Situation
Evaluate Every Option
Evaluate Long-Term Affordability
Coordinate The Right Professionals
Move Forward With Confidence
WHY FAMILIES TRUST THE PROCESS
Education Before Action
Never make major decisions without understanding every available option.
Strategy Before Transaction
The goal is solving the problem, not simply selling a home.
Coordination Before Execution
The right professionals become involved at the right time.
Confidence Through Clarity
When families understand their choices, they make better long-term decisions.
WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT
TYPICAL EXPERIENCE
- Pressure
- Confusion
- Incomplete information
- Reactive decisions
- Transaction focused
THE LOCKHART METHOD™
- Education
- Strategy
- Complete analysis
- Informed decisions
- Long-term planning
GOOD DECISIONS ARE RARELY MADE UNDER PRESSURE.
The Lockhart Method™ was created to help homeowners slow down, understand every available option and make informed decisions that protect both their finances and their future.
Whether the right decision is keeping the home, selling, buying out a spouse or waiting, the goal is always the same:
Help you make the right decision for your situation.
YOUR DIVORCE PROPERTY JOURNEY
Every family moves through these decisions in a different order. This roadmap shows where you are today and what most homeowners typically explore next.
You are currently evaluating whether keeping the home is the best financial decision based on your post-divorce income and expenses.
WHAT MOST FAMILIES DO NEXT
Families in your situation usually continue with one or more of these next steps before making a final decision.
QUESTIONS FAMILIES ASK NEXT
Continue exploring options based on what other homeowners in your situation typically ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
KNOW THE NUMBERS BEFORE YOU COMMIT TO KEEPING THE HOUSE
A decision made today may impact your finances for years to come. Understand the risks, evaluate your options, and move forward with confidence.
Related Decisions
Explore other common property questions.