When One Co-Owner Wants to Sell: What Coachella Valley Homeowners Need to Know

Co-owning a home in the Coachella Valley can be a dream come true—whether it’s a vacation property shared between siblings, a retirement home purchased with a partner, or an investment split between friends. But what happens when one person wants to sell, and the other doesn’t?

It’s a situation we see more often than you’d think at Royale Real Estate. Life changes, priorities shift, and sometimes, even the best-laid plans need to be reworked. If you’re in this boat, here’s what you need to know to navigate the process with clarity and confidence.

First Things First: What Kind of Co-Ownership Do You Have?

Before you make any moves, it’s important to understand how your property is legally held. Most homes are owned either as:

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  Joint Tenancy – Equal ownership with rights of survivorship. If one owner passes away, the other automatically inherits their share.

  
  


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  Tenancy in Common – Ownership can be split unequally, and each owner can sell or will their share independently.

  
  

If you’re not married to your co-owner, don’t assume the law will protect you the same way it does for spouses. That’s why having a written agreement from the start—outlining what happens if one person wants out—is a game-changer.

The Money Side: Taxes, Equity, and Buyouts

Selling a co-owned home isn’t just about listing it and splitting the proceeds. There are tax implications, especially around capital gains. Married couples can exclude up to $500,000 in gains on a primary residence, while unmarried co-owners are capped at $250,000 each.

If one person wants to keep the home, a buyout might be the cleanest route. Here’s how that typically works:

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   Get the Home Valued – A local agent (like one of us at Royale!) can provide a Comparative Market Analysis, or you can hire an appraiser.

   
   


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   Calculate Equity – Subtract the mortgage balance from the home’s value, then divide based on ownership percentages.

   
   


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   Secure Financing – The buying party may need to refinance, take out a home equity loan, or explore other creative financing options.

   
   

And don’t forget the paperwork: quitclaim deeds, lender releases, and updated title documents are all part of the process.

Selling Together? Set Ground Rules Early

If both parties agree to sell, great—but don’t skip the details. You’ll want to decide:

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  Listing Price and Timing – Agree on how the home will be priced and when it will hit the market.

  
  


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  Prep Work – Who’s paying for repairs, staging, landscaping, and photography?

  
  


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  Splitting Proceeds – Will profits be divided equally, or based on who paid more into the mortgage or upkeep?

  
  

Put EVERYTHING in writing. Trust us—it’ll save you headaches down the road.

Why Local Expertise Matters

Selling a home in the Coachella Valley isn’t just about numbers—it’s about understanding the rhythm of the desert market, the seasonal shifts in buyer demand, and the emotional weight that comes with parting ways with a shared home.

At Royale Real Estate, we’ve helped clients navigate co-ownership transitions with empathy, discretion, and a deep understanding of the local landscape. Whether you’re looking to buy out a partner, sell jointly, or just explore your options, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.