How to List a Divorce Home When It’s in Pre-Foreclosure
Selling a home during both divorce and pre-foreclosure is a high-stakes, time-sensitive process. But with the right steps—understanding the foreclosure timeline, agreeing on a listing plan, and managing offers carefully—it’s possible to protect equity and avoid financial fallout. In San Diego, Melina Rissone guides divorcing couples through this process with structure, neutrality, and expertise as a certified Real Estate Collaboration Specialist – Divorce (RCS-D).
With San Diego’s strong housing demand, Melina positions even distressed homes to attract buyers quickly and protect as much equity as possible. For couples facing both divorce and foreclosure, working with her means having an experienced advocate who can coordinate the sale, reduce conflict, and help both parties move forward with greater stability.
Understanding the Challenge of Divorce and Pre-Foreclosure
When divorce and pre-foreclosure overlap, selling your home becomes more than just a financial decision. It’s a race against time to protect equity, while also navigating complex emotions and legal requirements. In San Diego, where the median home price in August 2025 is about $930,000, even a short delay in listing or miscommunication between divorcing spouses can mean significant financial loss.
A divorce real estate agent familiar with foreclosure processes is uniquely positioned to help. Melina Rissone, a Real Estate Collaboration Specialist for Divorce (RCS-D), provides neutral, fact-based guidance that helps both spouses make informed decisions while ensuring deadlines set by lenders are met.
Step #1: Know the Pre-Foreclosure Timeline
Pre-foreclosure typically begins once mortgage payments are missed and the lender issues a Notice of Default. In California, the foreclosure process allows a limited window of time, often just a few months, to resolve the default before the property is sold at auction.
Key considerations for divorcing homeowners include:
Communication with the lender: Reaching out early can sometimes lead to temporary relief or loan modification options.
Equity review: Even in pre-foreclosure, many San Diego homes still hold equity, which can be preserved through a timely sale.
Legal coordination: Attorneys or mediators may need to approve decisions, especially if both spouses are on the mortgage or title.
Understanding this timeline is critical, and an experienced real estate agent for divorce can keep both the process and communication on track.
Step #2: Agree on the Listing Plan
In divorce cases, emotions often run high, and decision-making can stall. Pre-foreclosure does not allow for delay—every week counts. Agreeing early on the following makes the process smoother:
Listing price: A market-driven price backed by a professional CMA ensures the home attracts buyers quickly.
Home preparation: Staging and light repairs can increase value, but decisions should be realistic given the limited time.
Marketing approach: Full exposure via the MLS, digital platforms, and open houses gives the best chance to secure qualified buyers fast.
As a divorce real estate agent, Melina Rissone acts as a neutral party, ensuring the listing plan prioritizes the home sale and financial protection of both spouses, not one side over the other. She provides CMAs free of charge to give you peace of mind and the confidence to move forward with your sale.
Step #3: Navigate Offers and Escrow
Once offers arrive, the focus shifts to speed and certainty. Cash offers may close faster, but financed offers could deliver stronger net proceeds if timelines allow. In divorce and pre-foreclosure situations, both spouses typically need to approve the chosen offer.
During escrow, the lenders, attorneys, and escrow officers all need updates. An experienced real estate collaboration specialist like Melina Rissone can coordinate these moving parts, preventing missteps that could derail the sale. Clear communication between parties helps avoid last-minute conflicts and ensures closing happens before foreclosure deadlines.
Local Insight: San Diego Market Advantage
San Diego’s real estate market remains resilient in 2025, with strong demand from buyers seeking properties across neighborhoods like North Park, Clairemont, and Point Loma. Even homes in distress often attract multiple offers, especially if priced competitively.
For divorcing couples in pre-foreclosure, this means you may have more options than you realize. By listing quickly and strategically, you can often capture enough equity to settle mortgage debt and potentially walk away with funds that support your next chapter.
Why a Divorce Real Estate Agent Matters
Selling real estate in divorce is complex even without foreclosure. Add lender timelines, and the pressure increases dramatically. A qualified real estate agent for divorce brings structure, neutrality, and expertise that general agents may not provide.
With certifications like Real Estate Collaboration Specialist for Divorce, Melina Rissone understands the legal, financial, and emotional dimensions of these cases. She focuses on facts, fairness, and timelines so you and your spouse can protect your credit, preserve equity, and avoid the harsher consequences of foreclosure.
Final Thoughts
Selling a divorce home in pre-foreclosure requires urgency, cooperation, and specialized guidance. By understanding the foreclosure timeline, agreeing on a clear listing plan, and working with a divorce real estate agent who knows both the San Diego market and the divorce process, you give yourself the best chance of avoiding financial loss and moving forward with stability.
If you’re facing the challenge of selling a divorce home in pre-foreclosure, contact Melina Rissone today. As a trusted divorce real estate specialist in San Diego, she can provide the guidance and structure you need to protect your equity and move toward resolution.
Melina Rissone, Associated Real Estate Broker Coldwell Banker Global Luxury, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Real Estate Collaboration Specialist – Divorce (RCS-D) in San Diego. I help people going through divorce in San Diego figure out what to do with the house—whether you're ready to sell now or just need a neutral opinion. I help seniors looking to retire in San Diego figure out what to do with the house—whether you're ready to sell now or just need a neutral opinion.
Melina Rissone
Having sold properties for more than 20 years and earning various prestigious awards throughout the course of her career, Melina Rissone has more than earned her reputation as one of San Diego's most skilled and trustworthy real estate brokers selling homes and luxury condominiums. Her loyal clientele would share that Melina brings structure and planning to chaos. She specializes in supporting her clients and their referrals; families and individuals going through divorce and seniors and active adults planning their moves and financial decisions during their retirement years.
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Institute of Luxury Home Marketing certified.
Certified Senior Advisor by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors
Cartus Network Inventory Specialist and Cartus Network Marketing Specialist since 2015.
RCS-D Designation, a Real Estate Collaboration Specialist for Divorce.
SRES Certification through NAR is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist certification.
Melina is bilingual in English and German.
Recognized as the Top 4% of all real estate brokers in San Diego County in 2021 and the Top 3% of Coldwell Banker International.
Coldwell Banker Presidents Elite Award.
Recognize as the Top 2% of Coldwell Banker West in 2024.
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Institute of Luxury Home Marketing Certified.
If you're looking for a top San Diego Realtor, Melina Rissone is the best agent you will find. She is a professional real estate agent in Bankers Hill who is dedicated to getting her clients the absolute best results. Melina is responsive and super knowledgeable, and her communication skills are top-notch. If you are thinking of selling a home in San Diego or moving to San Diego, I highly recommend Melina
-Leigh Ann P.
