Own home w/ex

What is the name of your state? California
My ex is buying me out of the house we own. He wants me to pay him for improvement costs, labor, and realtor fees (we are not selling the house). Can anyone tell me if this makes sense? We never agreed that I would pay him for anything.

[HomeGuru]

Originally posted by aceydoosey
What is the name of your state? California
My ex is buying me out of the house we own. He wants me to pay him for improvement costs, labor, and realtor fees (we are not selling the house). Can anyone tell me if this makes sense? We never agreed that I would pay him for anything.

**A: no it does not make sense especially the Realtor fees.

Do you know why it doesn't make sense? I mean to me it seems ludicrous, but unfortunately, he is a realtor and is adamant about the realtor fees! I can't convince him that he doesn't know what he's talking about. Do you know of anywhere I can look to find a legal code or maybe a court case where this is discussed? I would like to be able to back up my reasoning, even if he can't.

[Souix]

Originally posted by aceydoosey
Do you know why it doesn't make sense? I mean to me it seems ludicrous, but unfortunately, he is a realtor and is adamant about the realtor fees! I can't convince him that he doesn't know what he's talking about. Do you know of anywhere I can look to find a legal code or maybe a court case where this is discussed? I would like to be able to back up my reasoning, even if he can't.

***Well if you're not selling the house, there would be no realtor fees. There is no code to look up, its just common sense.***

I really do appreciate your help. It seems like common sense to me as well, imagine the frustration of dealing with someone who is trying to convince you otherwise. I have already tried to explain to him that it is ludicrous for me to pay him fees that he might have to pay in the future, he does not listen. I was hoping someone might be able to direct me somewhere that I could find some legal codes that back up what I am saying.
Anyway, it's nice to know that people agree with me.

[Souix]

Originally posted by aceydoosey
I really do appreciate your help. It seems like common sense to me as well, imagine the frustration of dealing with someone who is trying to convince you otherwise. I have already tried to explain to him that it is ludicrous for me to pay him fees that he might have to pay in the future, he does not listen. I was hoping someone might be able to direct me somewhere that I could find some legal codes that back up what I am saying.
Anyway, it's nice to know that people agree with me.

**You say he is a Realtor. Most brokerages have company policies that state if the Realtor is selling thier own home, they might get a break on the brokerage fee, or in some cases they might get a free transaction a year or something similar - depends on the company policy. This might be grasping at straws, but see if you can get a copy of the company policy. Then when he brings this up again, you'll have something to show him.**

[BrokerRE]

I guess I'm a little confused about your ordeal.

You want half of the value of the house, correct? If he were to sell the house today, how much would he get? He would have to pay Realtor fees, so I can understand why he wants to deduct those.

But, cost of improvements? If you were together when he did those improvements, then forget it. If he did improvements after you were no longer together, then you didn't have the ability to oversee, and decide whether or not you wanted those improvements, and you shouldn't be charged with them.

Get someone you trust to give you an idea of what the market value of the property is, then deduct reasonable Realtor fees, and cut it in half. If he says no, then sit back and wait. He'll come back to you after a while, and then tell him you want half of the new market value, and he should buy you out as quickly as possible, because Real Estate is appreciating, and he'll never pay less than today.

[HomeGuru]

If one joint owner is buying the other out, there are no Realtor fees involved so such fees should not be deducted. Only actual expenses should be deducted.

[BrokerRE]

I only said that I could see where he is coming from.

There is no set standard for negotiations of one joint owner to another.

If I were him, I would tell her no money till you agree to deduct realtor fees.

If I were her, I would say, you're a realtor, you can do this one for free, I'm not paying realtor fees.

The best advice I can give is: Take a reasonable amount of money, because pursuiting this in court will cost you far more than any amount he wants to deduct. Just cut your best deal and get on with your life.

[HomeGuru]

Thanks for your clarification.