Divorces and separations rise every March, prompting new homeowners to quickly sell their homes and download dating apps.
So this year, OkCupid is partnering with Open door, the fastest and easiest way to sell your home, to help these young singles — because they’re busy enough with their dates! In March 2023, there was a 7.4% increase in Likes and an 8.5% increase in Matches on OkCupid compared to the previous month, and we’re seeing similar trends this year. People date very close to the time of separation.
To better understand post-breakup behaviors, OkCupid in partnership with Opendoor added new matching questions to the app, which garnered more than 65,000 responses.
What happens after the dreaded breakup conversation? Even worse “move out” conversation. On OkCupid, 86% of singles said they would move out after breaking up with a partner. Additionally, 55% of OkCupid lovers would want to move out as soon as possible after a breakup, and 18% would move out within a week (14% could wait up to a month; just 13% wouldn’t be in a rush to move).
Most singles on OkCupid (80%) said they’d rather move back in with their parents or couch surf (75%) than live under the same roof as their ex.
A majority of singles (76%) on OkCupid say that having to sell their seat after a breakup is more stressful than a canceled flight. Contrast that with homeowners who sell directly on Opendoor and can close an average of 3x faster than a traditional sale. This speed can mean less time for the pain of disconnection and more time to move on.
Finding your way out of a cohabitation situation and/or home ownership can add a whole new layer of stress to an already complex process – let alone manage a rollercoaster of emotions and some tough conversations. Michael Kaye, OkCupid’s Director of Marketing and Brand Communications, has some survival tips for the newly single:
- Take a moment. Have clear expectations about whether you want to be the one moving in or staying in your shared space, and divide your belongings accordingly. Remember, there are two people affected by this breakup, and being fair will help move the process along faster.
- Ask for help! Lean on family or friends for support during this time. No one should go through a breakup alone. Ask your ex out for the night, invite your friends over, order and start packing. A new chapter can be exciting!
- Keep yourself busy. Leaving a place with an ex, or leaving an ex, is a big change. Be kind to yourself and be patient with your feelings.
For singles navigating their post-breakup lives and considering their next move, platonic co-buying may be an avenue worth considering. According Opendoor’s 2024 First Time Home Buyer Report77% of first-time homebuyers bought their home with a non-romantic partner.
And when it’s time to rethink that life with a new match, buying together with romantic partners remains a reliable route for first-time homebuyers: 61% of Opendoor survey respondents bought with a spouse or partner in 2023 .
Whether you’re looking to sell your house and move out—and move on—with minimal disruption to your life, or you’re ready to meet your next match, OkCupid and Opendoor have your back.
