<prompt> Human: My ex and I bought a house a couple of years ago. Needless to say it didnt work out and I had to move out in an emergency situation he was abusive. Anyways he wouldnt agree to refinance or sell the house and is just living in it, so for the past year I have been in the process of suing him to get rid of it. A judge declared he must sell it, it is on the market but the judge agreed to let him do for sale by owner for a little while which is of course holding things up even longer. I really want to buy another house as Ive been living in an apartment since I moved out. I have not been paying the other mortgage he has fully for over a year. If I explain this to a bank will I be able to get another mortgage and buy another house before the other one sells? I have really good credit and money to put down a down payment.  <response>: Yes, if you can afford both. Another possibility is a bridge loan that will cover your down payment on the new house until the old house sells. 