Three Ds (and an S)

Newsletter Autumn 2016

Linda Jeffcoat of Stacks Property Search in Wiltshire discusses the sometimes tricky business of buying from separating couples.

It used to be the case that D for Divorce was one of the three main drivers of the property market, but these days, a significant number of properties are coming onto the market as a result of separations that don’t involve divorce. Many jointly owned properties were purchased as a result of a business arrangement rather than an emotional attachment. The high entry costs of property ownership have led to more and more people buying property jointly because they can’t afford to buy something on their own.

But whether you’re buying from a divorcing couple, an unmarried separating couple, or a pair of young professionals who have entered the market together as a business arrangement, you should be aware that joint owners may have different agendas which can make negotiations more complicated.