Buying and selling at the same time, without carrying two homes

Moving up usually means selling one home and buying another. Here are the ways to line them up so you aren’t paying for both.

It’s the question we hear most from families moving up or moving on: do we sell first or buy first? There’s no single right answer. It depends on the market, your finances and how much risk you’re comfortable with.

Selling first

Selling first tells you exactly how much you have to spend, and it makes you a stronger buyer because you aren’t depending on a sale. The risk is timing: you may need a longer closing, a rental in between, or to move quickly when you find the right home.

Buying first

Buying first means you don’t miss the home you love. The risk is owning two homes for a while if yours takes longer to sell, or selling under pressure to meet your closing date. It works best when your home is priced right and the market is moving.

Tools that help

• Closing dates: we negotiate dates on both sides so the gap between closings is days, not months.
• Bridge financing: many lenders can cover the gap when your purchase closes before your sale. Ask your lender early whether you qualify.
• A sale-of-property condition: you buy on the condition that your home sells. Sellers accept these more often in slower markets.
• A longer or flexible closing on your sale, so you only move once.

How we plan it

We start by pricing your current home and looking at what’s for sale where you want to go. That tells us how fast your home is likely to sell and how competitive your purchase will be. Then we plan the order and the dates together, before you list or make an offer.

A plan made before you fall for a house saves a lot of stress after.

Thinking about a move? Talk to us early and we’ll map out the timing with you.

Talk to us about your move →