When a couple separates and one wants to keep the family home, the property's value can become a major point of conflict. For real estate agents involved in such cases, the challenge is to provide a clear, documented, and understandable estimate of the home's worth for both parties. Driss Bouharrou, a judicial expert near the court of appeal in Amiens, explains how to establish this common ground and avoid confusion between the property's value, the remaining mortgage, and the buyout amount. In divorce cases, a common question arises when one partner wants to keep the home: what is the house really worth today? On paper, the question seems simple, but in practice, it often leads to disagreements. One person might focus on the remaining work needed, while the other might reference a similar house sold nearby. Sometimes, an old estimate from years ago or a value found online is used. However, to seriously discuss a buyout, it's essential to start with a clear and up-to-date assessment of the property's current value. A house purchased for 250,000 euros eight years ago does not automatically hold the same value today. The real estate market has changed, and the property itself may have evolved. Some improvements may have increased its value, while others may reflect the personal preferences of the previous owners. The property may have aged, require energy upgrades, or become less desirable than when it was first bought. The original purchase price is a piece of information, but it is not a reliable method for determining the current value. Another frequent confusion is the remaining mortgage balance. For example, consider a house valued at 300,000 euros with 100,000 euros still owed on the mortgage. The house is still worth 300,000 euros, but the loan must be factored into the division of assets. In this simplified example, the net value would be 200,000 euros. If each spouse owns 50%, then each would be entitled to 100,000 euros. This calculation helps establish the principle, but the actual buyout amount depends on various factors, including the marital regime, property shares, personal contributions, debts between the spouses, or the possibility of loan transfer. The appraiser determines the property's value, and the notary then calculates the division of assets. An appraisal made two years ago might have been accurate at the time but may no longer reflect the current market. According to the Civil Code, properties should be appraised at their value on the date of the division, which should be as close to the actual division date as possible. This means that a real estate value is always tied to a specific date. The reasoning "The house next door is listed at 330,000 euros, so my house is worth 330,000 euros" is often heard, but it's important to verify if that house was actually sold at that price. Even properties on the same street can differ significantly in value due to factors like land area, condition, energy performance, renovations, parking, exposure, noise, or interior layout. Comparing similar properties is a useful method, but the comparison must be between truly comparable homes.