Your Numbers

Start With the House

Estimates are fine. You can change anything and the results update as you go. If you don't know what the house is worth, a quick home value estimate gets you in the ballpark, but in a divorce you'll want a real appraisal or a neutral pricing opinion before anyone signs anything.

Step 1 · The Equity

Buyout Value ⓘ

Mortgage Balance ⓘ

HELOC or 2nd Lien ⓘ

Departing Spouse's Share % of equity ⓘ

Selling Costs % of price ⓘ

Likely Sale Price if listed ⓘ

Paid With Other Assets ⓘ

Deduct estimated selling costs before figuring the buyout ⓘ

Step 2 · Can One Income Carry It?

These are the finances of the spouse who would keep the house.

Gross Income per year ⓘ

Support Received per month ⓘ

Other Monthly Debts ⓘ

Interest Rate ⓘ

Loan Term years

Property Tax Rate % per year ⓘ

Homeowners Insurance per year

HOA Dues per month

Refinance Closing Costs % of loan ⓘ

Your Results

What the Numbers Say

Total Equity

—

Value minus everything owed

Buyout Amount

—

Departing spouse's share

New Loan Needed

—

New Monthly Payment

—

Principal, interest, tax, insurance, HOA

Loan size

—

Qualifying on one income

—

How this works: the owelty lien refinance · how a spouse buyout refinance works · can you keep the house?

Keep vs. Sell, Side by Side

Spouse Keeping the House

If you keep it—

—

If it sells—

Cash at closing, no house, no payment

Departing Spouse

With a buyout—

—

If it sells—

Cash at closing

Either path can be worked against one spouse: a lowball buyout value on one side, or a sale that's underpriced, poorly marketed, or stalled on the other. An independent valuation, a clear written timeline, and your attorney's review protect you both ways. A spouse who refuses to leave or cooperate with a court-ordered sale can face contempt, a court-appointed receiver, and attorney's fees, and a forced or rushed sale usually nets both of you less. What stalling can cost →

Before you decide: sell, buy out, or co-own? · tax consequences of a divorce sale · trading retirement for home equity

Email Me This Summary

Estimates for discussion only. This isn't legal, tax, or lending advice, and it's not an appraisal. A lender decides what you qualify for, and your attorney should review any division of property before you agree to it.

Confidential

Want a Copy, or a Second Set of Eyes?

I can send you a written summary of these numbers, or we can talk through your options privately. I work with both spouses, attorneys, and mediators, and I don't share what you tell me with anyone you haven't asked me to. Attorney or mediator? Get a link for your office.

Rather talk now? Call or text (832) 723-3025, or email me.

Disclaimer

This calculator is for general information and planning only. It isn't legal, tax, financial, or lending advice, and it isn't an appraisal, a broker price opinion, or a promise of any outcome.

Results depend entirely on the numbers entered. What actually happens also depends on the housing market, local supply and demand, the broader economy and interest rates, the pricing strategy both spouses agree to, the home's condition, the appraisal, lender approval, the loan program, each person's credit, and the terms of the decree.

The 80%, 95%, and debt-to-income thresholds shown are general guidelines. They vary by lender and loan program, and they change over time.

How property is divided in a Texas divorce is decided by agreement or by the court. The split shown is only the percentage you enter.

Using this calculator doesn't create an agency relationship or an attorney-client relationship. Fay Brink is a licensed Texas REALTOR®, not an attorney, CPA, or lender. Talk with your attorney, a tax professional, and a lender before making decisions.

Privacy: the numbers you enter aren't saved or sent to me, and the calculator and its results are hidden from the site's analytics, which only count page visits and whether the calculator was used. If you choose to contact me, I'll see only what you send.

The House: Keep It, Buy Out, or Sell?

Start With the House

What the Numbers Say

Keep vs. Sell, Side by Side

Want a Copy, or a Second Set of Eyes?

Further Reading