Getting divorced, selling a home?
Pro tips for a smoother split

Vancouver Island real estate professional Tom Hopper has important advice for those navigating a separation or divorce, death of a spouse, and selling a home. He also helps buyersfind a new place after the dust settles. Tom works closely with Victoria real estate lawyer Peter DeMeo, who also has important legal information for couples. Here is their best advice for those separating, getting divorced, and selling a home.

Separation agreement: step one when divorcing and selling a home

Tom has seen the chaos that often ensues when couples sell a home without first having lawyers draft a formal separation agreement. “If there is a disagreement later— about who should get what percentage of the home sale proceeds— all the money gets locked up and held in trust while the dispute is settled.” 

Simply put, he says, it means you’re not going to see that money for a while. “It’s sitting there, earning nothing, and you can’t spend it. And now, lawyers— who should have been involved before the sale— have to get involved after.” In a fast-moving real estate market, you certainly don’t want your share of the equity sitting around earning no interest while you spend thousands of dollars on a stressful legal dispute!

Invest in lawyers before the home sale, get your money faster

“When couples split, it’s often extremely emotional,” Tom says. “Grief, anger, and resentment about the past can make it hard to think clearly about the present and the future. For this reason alone, each person should hire their own family law expert.” Peter DeMeo is a real estate lawyer, not a family lawyer— but he has seen plenty of couples run into trouble when they hurry to sell a property before there is a legal separation agreement in place.

“When you’re undoing a relationship, married or not, you’re separating yourselves financially,” Peter explains. “The process of financially separating yourself from your partner or spouse should be formally summarized in a separation agreement. This agreement is important to me as a real estate lawyer, because it spells out clearly how the financial proceeds are going to be distributed.” 

A dispute after a sale can be a long process. “And ironically, if you tried to save money by not hiring lawyers, a dispute will likely cost more in legal fees,” he counsels. “Best to invest in a separation agreement, negotiated by lawyers, before you sell your home.”

List home professionally to speed sale, avoid conflicts

With a professional realtor like Tom Hopper selling the family home, it’s easier for a divorcing couple to agree on the listing price and conditions. This also helps speed up the sale. “I’m not on anybody’s side,” Tom says. “My goal is to get them the most money I can for their house. If for some reason one or the other feels they needs their own realtor, it’s ok with me to co-list. It’s not required, but it’s not a problem.”

Separating couples might be tempted to save a commission fee by selling the home themselves, but this is ill-advised, Peter says, especially when the property is being divided. “We’re in a society now where everybody wants to DIY,” he says. “Everyone’s got Google lawyer, Google realtor at the ready. It doesn’t always turn out well.”

“What we do is pretty complex,” Tom agrees. “There’s ethical issues, conflict issues— financial, tax, and legal issues. It’s hard to glean all of that off of the internet.” And when your relationship is ending, says Peter, “it’s an emotionally challenging time. It’s not a good time to try to learn complex things.”

When home is sold, don’t wait to buy back in

A separation agreement spells out who will get what percentage of the sale of the couple’s home. Ultimately, that means each party can have their money distributed to them quickly, “so you can have the liquidity and funds to purchase your next home,” Tom says. “You want to get back into the real estate market as soon as possible. So having that agreement in place makes it so you can go out and shop.”

If one of you has enough money to buy the other out, then you keep that house. Otherwise, it’s unlikely either person will be able to have the buying power to replicate the current home after the split. Tom’s suggestion is to take whatever number you think your budget will be, and explore options. “What do I get for x dollars on realtor.ca? That reality check can be something that can help you prepare yourself emotionally.

Adjust your expectations when buying back in

It was initially a shock when “M” found herself divorced with two young children. Her first impulse was to buy a house similar to the one she and her ex had lived in together. “I quickly realized that taking on even a small heritage home was more than I could manage on my own,” she says. “The sheer volume of tasks for one adult— who isn’t handy— was overwhelming for me as a single mom.”

The loss of neighbourhood, the familiar routines, and the comforts of home were all things M had to honestly grieve. First, though, she had to buy back into the market, and “right size” her home for herself and her kids. For her, the “right size” home was a three-bedroom condo. “I balked at first, but I’ve learned to look at the gifts in this situation. Less to clean, less to maintain, and the responsibilities for maintenance are shared with others. Honestly, I prefer this, even though I resisted it and cried many tears.”

Recap: five pro tips for selling a home when you split

While it’s hard to look toward the future while grieving the losses, Tom says it’s important to get yourself into a new, right-size home— right away. His clarity and straight-forward, compassionate approach means clients can “move quickly on something that is appropriate so they can have a new home and get settled.”

Here are five pro tips from Tom Hopper for transitioning from couple to single, and buying your “right-size” home.

1. Each party hires a family lawyer, and a separation agreement is put in place. 
2. Get a realtor to give you a realistic idea about what the current home is worth, or go online and see what has sold recently in your neighbourhood.  
3. Know exactly how much equity you’re going to pull out of that home sale. That way, you don’t waste everybody’s time. If you think you can afford something you can’t afford, you’ll just frustrate yourself. 
4. Get pre-approved, by a bank, for a mortgage based on your equity and income. 
5. Shop inside your budget, find an appropriate home, and move quickly so you can get settled.

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159 Cypress View Rd

GI Salt Spring Salt Spring V8K 2K4

$1,650,000

Residential beds: 3 baths: 2.0 2,628 sq. ft. built: 2024

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Status:

Sold

Sold Date:

Aug 10, 2026

Sold Price:

$1,650,000

Sold in:

175 days

Prop. Type:

Residential

MLS® Num:

1025922

Bedrooms:

3

Bathrooms:

2

Year Built:

2024

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This is a must see property! Discover the pinnacle of island living in this 2024 custom-built masterpiece, perfectly positioned on a fully fenced, gated .99-acre estate just minutes from Ganges. Engineered to capture breathtaking Ganges Harbour views from every room, the home’s open-concept design elevates daily living with soaring 10’ ceilings, 8’ doors, and a chef’s kitchen featuring premium Wolf and Fisher & Paykel appliances. Seamlessly transition through 8’ glass sliders to an expansive, covered heated patio complete with professional hardscaping and a firepit. Wake up to delightful sunrises from the luxurious bedroom suites, and enjoy ultimate peace of mind with a high-efficiency heat pump with UV purification, an HRV system, a 22KW Generac generator, and a New Home Warranty. Complete with an attached two-car garage and a walking trail directly to the Village, this estate delivers uncompromised quality, elegance, and effortless luxury.

General Info:

Property Type:

Residential

Type:

Single Family Residence

Year built:

2024 (Age: 2)

Living Area:

2,628 sq. ft.244 m2

Listing General Location:

GI Salt Spring, Gulf Islands

Bedrooms:

3

Bathrooms:

2.0 (Full:-/Half:-)

Lot Size:

0.99 acre(s)0.4 hectare(s)

Kitchens:

1

Taxes:

$6,004 / 2025

Additional Info:

Building Features:

Bike Storage, Fire Alarm, Security System, Transit Nearby

Construction:

Cement Fibre, Insulation All, Wood

New Construction:

Yes

Basement:

Crawl Space, Finished, Not Full Height

Foundation:

Concrete Perimeter

Electricity:

Yes

Roof:

Asphalt Shingle

Other Structures:

Storage Shed

Total Building Area:

3,198 sq. ft.297 m2

Total Unfinished Area:

570 sq. ft.53 m2

# Bedrooms or Dens Total:

3

# Main Level Bedrooms:

1

# Second Level Bedrooms:

0

# Third Level Bedrooms:

0

# Lower Level Bedrooms:

2

# Other Level Bedrooms:

0

# Main Level Bathrooms:

1

# Second Level Bathrooms:

0

# Third Level Bathrooms:

0

# Lower Level Bathrooms:

1

# Other Level Bathrooms:

0

# Main Level Kitchens:

1

# Second Level Kitchens:

0

# Third Level Kitchens:

0

# Lower Level Kitchens:

0

# Other Level Kitchens:

0

Living Area Lower Floor:

1,314 sq. ft.122 m2

Living Area Main Floor:

1,314 sq. ft.122 m2

Living Area Other Floor:

0 sq. ft.0 m2

Living Area 2nd Floor:

0 sq. ft.0 m2

Living Area 3rd Floor:

0 sq. ft.0 m2

Fireplaces:

2

Fireplace Details:

Propane

Laundry Features:

In House

Water supply:

Municipal

Sewer:

Sewer Connected

Cooling:

Air Conditioning, HVAC

Heating:

Electric, Forced Air, Heat Pump

Fireplace:

Yes

Warranty:

Yes

More Info Available:

Pending Date:

Jun 24, 2026

Date Sold:

Aug 10, 2026

Appliances Included:

Built-In Range, Dishwasher, Dryer, Freezer, Microwave, Oven Built-In, Washer

Interior Features:

Dining/Living Combo, French Doors, Workshop

Exterior Features:

Balcony/Deck, Balcony/Patio, Fencing: Full, Garden, Low Maintenance Yard, Security System

View:

City, Mountain(s), Ocean, Other

Directions:

Up Charlesworth, right on Mt. Baker Cres, turn left on Cypress View Rd. Park on parking pad outside gate. Do not attempt to open driveway gate

Entry Location:

Main Level

Minimum Age:

0

BBQ Allowed:

Yes

Smoking Bylaw:

No

Rent Allowed:

Unrestricted

Room Information:

Floor

Type

Size

Other

Main Floor

Garage

26'4"8.03 m × 23'7.01 m

Main Floor

Entrance

14'4.27 m × 11'1"3.38 m

Main Floor

Living Room

16'2"4.93 m × 14'11"4.55 m

Main Floor

Kitchen

16'4"4.98 m × 12'3.66 m

Main Floor

Dining Room

13'5"4.09 m × 9'11"3.02 m

Main Floor

Laundry

9'10"3.00 m × 7'2"2.18 m

Main Floor

Bedroom - Primary

14'11"4.55 m × 13'3"4.04 m

Main Floor

Walk-in Closet

10'3"3.12 m × 4'11"1.50 m

Main Floor

Deck

35'11"10.90 m × 13'6"4.11 m

Main Floor

Porch

16'1"4.90 m × 6'8"2.03 m

Lower Level

Family Room

22'5"6.83 m × 15'5"4.70 m

Lower Level

Walk-in Closet

6'1.83 m × 5'7"1.70 m

Lower Level

Bedroom

14'11"4.55 m × 12'10"3.91 m

Lower Level

Storage

6'5"1.96 m × 5'11"1.80 m

Lower Level

Other

11'3.35 m × 7'8"2.34 m

Lower Level

Storage

9'3"2.82 m × 5'10"1.78 m

Lower Level

Storage

13'3"4.04 m × 11'3"3.43 m

Lower Level

Storage

6'8"2.03 m × 4'9"1.45 m

Lower Level

Bedroom

13'9"4.19 m × 11'7"3.53 m

Lower Level

Walk-in Closet

6'8"2.03 m × 4'1"1.24 m

Lower Level

Patio

35'8"10.90 m × 11'4"3.45 m

Bathrooms:

Floor

Ensuite

Pieces

Other

Main Floor

No

4

12'1" x 6' 4-Piece

Lower Level

No

3

6' x 8'10" 3-Piece

Financial Info:

Assessed:

1333000.0

Assessment year:

2026

Legal Info:

Jurisdiction name:

Gulf Islands Rural (764)

Legal Description:

LOT 4 DISTRICT LOT 24 NORTH SALT SPRING ISLAND COWICHAN DISTRICT PLAN VIP84296

Accessibility:

Ground Level Main Floor

Other Details:

Number of 2 piece baths:

0

Number of 3 piece baths:

1

Number of 4 piece baths:

1

Number of 5 piece baths:

0

Number of 2 piece Ensuites:

0

Number of 3 piece Ensuites:

0

Number of 4 piece Ensuites:

0

Leased Equipment:

Propane Tank

Other Equipment:

Central Vacuum, Electric Garage Door Opener, Propane Tank, Security System

Occupancy:

Owner

Property Condition:

Contact List Licensee, New Construction

Land Info:

Utilities:

Cable Connected, Electricity Connected, Phone Connected, Underground Utilities

Exposure / Faces:

Northeast

Layout:

Main Level Entry with Lower Level(s)

Lot Site Features:

Central Location, Curb & Gutter, Easy Access, Hillside, Landscaped, Marina Nearby, Near Golf Course, Quiet Area, Recreation Nearby, Shopping Nearby, Sidewalk

Attached Garage:

Yes

Carport Spaces:

0

Garage Spaces:

2

Garage:

Yes

Parking Features:

Attached, Driveway, Garage Double, Guest

Total Parking Spaces:

4

Road Surface Type:

Paved

Listing Info:

Date Listed:

Feb 16, 2026

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Listed by RE/MAX Salt Spring, sold on August, 2026

Data was last updated August 14, 2026 at 02:05 AM (UTC)

• TOM HOPPER
• RE/MAX Generation - Neal Estate Group
• 1 (250) 8939799
• Contact by Email

MLS® property information is provided under copyright© by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board and Victoria Real Estate Board. The information is from sources deemed reliable, but should not be relied upon without independent verification.

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