Your step-by-step guide

🔄 Selling & Buying Together

Moving to a new home while selling your current one doesn't have to be chaos. Here's how to make it work smoothly.

The Big Question: Which Comes First?

This is what keeps most people up at night. Do you sell first or buy first? The truth is: it depends on your situation. Let's break down both options.

Sell First 📤

Good Things:

  • You know exactly how much money you have
  • No stress about two mortgages
  • More negotiating power as a cash buyer

Tricky Parts:

  • You might need temporary housing
  • Moving twice (current home → temp → new home)
  • Storage for your stuff

Buy First 📥

Good Things:

  • Move directly to your new home
  • Take your time finding the right place
  • Can fix up old home while living in new one

Tricky Parts:

  • Need to qualify for two mortgages
  • Paying for two homes at once
  • Pressure to sell quickly

Most Popular: Sell First

About 70% of people sell first because it's less financially risky. You can ask for a longer closing period (60-90 days instead of 30) to give yourself time to find your next home.

Timing It Right

Contingency Clauses (Your Safety Net)

These are fancy words for "escape hatches" in your contracts. They protect you if things don't go as planned.

Home Sale Contingency

This means: "I'll only buy your house IF I can sell mine first." Sellers don't love this because it makes the deal less certain. But in a slower market, they might accept it.

Rent-Back Agreement

This means: "I'll sell you my house, but can I rent it from you for 30-60 days while I find my new place?" This gives you breathing room without needing temporary housing.

The Timeline Dance

Here's what a well-coordinated move looks like:

  1. Month 1: List your current home for sale, start looking at new homes casually
  2. Month 2: Accept an offer on your home with a 60-day close, get pre-approved for new loan
  3. Month 3: Find and make offer on new home with 30-day close, pack and prepare
  4. Close Week: Sell current home (Mon-Wed), buy new home (Thu-Fri), move over weekend

The Money Side

Using Your Home Equity

Remember: Equity is the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe on it. When you sell, this money becomes your down payment for the next house!

Quick Math Example

Current home value: $400,000 What you still owe: - $250,000 Closing costs/fees: - $25,000 Your equity (to use): = $125,000 💰

Bridge Loans (The Emergency Option)

A bridge loan is a short-term loan that "bridges" the gap between buying and selling. It lets you buy a new home before selling your old one. BUT - they're expensive (high interest rates) and risky. Only use if you're confident your home will sell quickly.

💡 Better Option: If you have family who can help with a short-term loan, that's usually cheaper and less stressful than a bridge loan.

Preparing Your Current Home to Sell

The 3-Week Prep Plan

Week 1: Clean & Declutter

Pack away 50% of your stuff. Rent a storage unit if needed. Clean EVERYTHING - people notice details.

Week 2: Fix & Freshen

Fix obvious problems, fresh paint (neutral colors), new light bulbs everywhere, trim bushes, mow lawn.

Week 3: Stage & Photo

Arrange furniture to show space, add fresh flowers, professional photos make a HUGE difference in how many showings you get.

What Actually Adds Value

Don't go crazy with renovations. Most buyers want move-in ready, not your personal taste. Focus on:

  • Fresh paint (white, beige, light gray)
  • Deep cleaning (especially kitchen and bathrooms)
  • Curb appeal (people decide in the first 10 seconds)
  • Minor repairs (fix that leaky faucet!)

Managing the Stress

Real talk: This process can be overwhelming. Here's how to stay sane:

Have a Plan B

Know where you'll stay if timing gets weird. Friend's couch? Extended stay hotel? Having options reduces anxiety.

Build in Buffer Time

Things ALWAYS take longer than you think. Add an extra week to every timeline estimate.

Stay Organized

Use a binder or app to track all documents, dates, contacts, and to-dos. Future you will be grateful.

Communicate Daily

Stay in close touch with your agent, lender, and lawyer. Quick check-ins prevent big surprises.

Ready to Make Your Move?

Let's create a game plan that works for your timeline and budget.

Talk To Your Agent