Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time: What You Need to Know

Navigating the real estate market is a big deal—but doing both a purchase and a sale at once? That’s a whole different level of complexity. Whether you're upsizing, downsizing, relocating, or just ready for a change, buying and selling simultaneously requires smart planning, good timing, and a bit of flexibility.

Here’s what you need to know about managing both sides of the transaction at once.

1. Timing Is Everything

One of the biggest challenges is syncing your timelines so you're not stuck with two homes—or none. There are a few paths you can take:

Option 1: Buy First

This option is ideal if you’ve found your dream home and can afford to carry two mortgages temporarily. It offers peace of mind but comes with financial risk.

Option 2: Sell First

This reduces financial stress and gives you a clearer budget for your next purchase. But it may require temporary housing if you can't find a new home quickly.

Option 3: Close Simultaneously 

Is this tricky? Yes. Can it be done? Absolutely! I work with clients to do this all the time! With the help of an experienced real estate agent like me, this is always an option and is done by most folks moving from one home to another.

 

2. Financing Considerations

If you’re planning to buy before you sell, talk to a mortgage professional early. Here are some options:

Bridge Loans: Short-term financing to “bridge” the gap between your sale and new purchase.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): Tap into your current home's equity to fund your next down payment.

Contingent Offers: You make an offer on a new home that’s dependent on selling your current one first—common, but not always attractive to sellers in competitive markets. The flip side: you can get your current home listed and possibly even under contract contingent upon you finding suitable housing. There are pros and cons to both contingency options, and your unique situation will help us decide which path to take!

 

3. Preparing Your Current Home for Sale

Start prepping your home even as you begin your home search. This includes:

✅Decluttering and staging (because you’re going to be packing anyway, right?)

✅Prepping to be in control & eliminating variables by doing a pre-listing home inspection. (Optional – let’s talk about if it’s the right path for you!)

✅Pricing strategically based on market trends & comparable sales.

Having your home “show-ready” early gives you a head start when it's time to list. Get your home photo-ready and we can take the pictures early so that they’re ready when you’re ready to be on the market!

 

Bottom Line:

Buying and selling at the same time can be a balancing act, but with preparation, professional guidance, and a flexible mindset, it’s absolutely doable. The key is to start early, know your financial options, and partner with a team who can help you move confidently from one home to the next! We got this!