Divorce Mortgage & Buyout LoansChris Galli & The Galli Team
Keeping the house, buying out your spouse, or starting over somewhere new? We help divorcing homeowners in Massachusetts, Florida and nationwide structure an equity buyout refinance or a fresh purchase, and we work alongside your attorney or mediator so the numbers in your agreement actually work.
Answer a few quick questions and our team will map your best options.
Prefer to talk? Call 941-529-1040 or book a call.
Who helps with a mortgage during a divorce?
Chris Galli, Region Manager at Novus Home Mortgage (NMLS #13152), and The Galli Team help divorcing homeowners refinance, buy out a spouse's equity or buy a new home in Massachusetts, Florida and all 50 states. Our Massachusetts office is at 8 Norwich St, Worcester, MA 01608, and our headquarters is at 1317 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205.
What should you know before refinancing in a divorce?
Run numbers before you sign
The agreement decides who keeps the house, but the new loan decides whether that's possible. Checking your numbers before the agreement is final helps you avoid promising a buyout you can't qualify for.
A buyout can be a limited cash-out
Under Fannie Mae rules, buying out a co-owner can be treated as a limited cash-out refinance if the home was jointly owned for at least 12 months and everyone signs a written agreement on the transfer and the proceeds.
Cash-out limits matter
A standard cash-out refinance on a primary home generally tops out at 80% loan-to-value with Fannie Mae. A qualifying equity buyout can allow more room, which matters when you owe your spouse a large share.
You qualify on your own
The spouse keeping the home must qualify for the new loan on their own income and credit, and under Fannie Mae's buyout rules they can't take any cash out of the refinance.
Support income can count
Alimony or child support can count as income with a 6-month payment history and proof it will continue at least 3 years. Proposed or voluntary payments without a written agreement don't count.
A deed isn't a loan release
A quitclaim deed can take a name off the title, but not off the mortgage. The departing spouse usually stays on the loan until it's refinanced, paid off or formally released by the lender.
Which divorce home plans do we help with?
Keep the house & buy out
Refinance into one name, pay off the joint mortgage and pay your spouse their share of the equity, often so the kids can stay in their school.
Sell & buy two homes
Sell the marital home, split the proceeds and each buy a new home. We can pre-approve each spouse separately and privately.
Start fresh in Florida
Selling in Massachusetts and moving south? See our guide to moving to Florida from Massachusetts.
Self-employed after divorce
Own a business? Bank statement loans can qualify you on deposits instead of tax returns when write-offs make your income look low.
What does a 50/50 equity buyout look like?
Simple buyout math before closing costs. Your agreement, appraisal and payoff set the real numbers.
| Example home value | $600,000 |
| Current mortgage | $300,000 |
| Total equity | $300,000 |
| Spouse's 50% share | $150,000 |
| New loan before costs | $450,000 |
| Loan-to-value | 75% |
More ways we can help
How much do I need to buy out my spouse?
Enter your home value, what you owe and your spouse's share of the equity. The calculator shows the buyout, the new loan you'd need and your loan-to-value, then checks whether support payments could count as income. The rate box is blank on purpose so you use your real quote.
Doesn't include mortgage insurance, HOA fees or attorney fees. Not legal or tax advice, and not a loan offer. All loans subject to credit approval.
I've been in this industry for over 29 years, and I started The Galli Team for one reason: too many good people were being told "no" by lenders who didn't know how to structure their deal.
Divorce is hard enough without a lender who doesn't return calls. Our team works with homeowners in Massachusetts, Florida and nationwide, and with their attorneys and mediators, to figure out who can keep the house, what a buyout really costs and how each spouse can buy their next home.
Why divorcing homeowners choose us over big banks
Most lenders have one playbook. We have dozens, built for real-world situations banks won't touch.
| Big Banks & Online Lenders | The Galli Team ✦ | |
|---|---|---|
| Response time | 24 – 72 hours | Within 2 hours |
| Numbers review before the agreement is final | ✗ | ✓ |
| Works with your attorney or mediator | Rarely | ✓ |
| Equity buyout refinance structuring | Varies | ✓ |
| Support income documentation help | Varies | ✓ |
| Bank statement loans for business owners | ✗ | ✓ |
| New home in another state | Depends on footprint | One team, all 50 states |
| Lending states | Varies | All 50 states |
Don't take our word for it.
Real people. Real loans. Real results.
"This is my 5th property purchase and the smoothest transaction by far! I will be using Chris as my go-to mortgage lender from now on."
"Chris, Julie and Rosa were very helpful purchasing my vacation home in Florida. Available all hours. Will definitely use them again!"
"Chris and his team were great to work with. Always available, kept us updated throughout. We closed early with no surprises. Highly recommend!"
Divorce mortgage questions, answered.
No vague answers. We explain exactly how this works before you ever fill out a form.
Get My Free Loan Plan →Sources: Fannie Mae Selling Guide B2-1.3-02, Limited Cash-Out Refinance Transactions (fanniemae.com) and Homebuyer.com summary (homebuyer.com); Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.4-02, alimony and child support income (fanniemae.com); Contour Mortgage, alimony and mortgage qualifying (contourmortgage.com); Fannie Mae eligibility summaries for cash-out LTV (thelender.com, onqhomeloans.com). Checked October 2026; guidelines change, and this is not legal advice.
Ready to plan your next chapter?
Get clear buyout and purchase numbers before you sign anything. Guidance over gimmicks.
Answer a few quick questions and our team will map your buyout or purchase options. Your information stays private.