Monday, October 13, 2025

Promoting and Shopping for a Home on the Similar Time


If you happen to’re a home-owner seeking to purchase your subsequent house, then you definitely’ll seemingly must juggle promoting and shopping for on the similar time. In an excellent world, you’d shut on each properties on the identical day, however that’s hardly ever the case. Count on a while between promoting your own home and shopping for a brand new one –  or vice versa. 

On this Redfin article, we’ll define the steps for promoting and shopping for a home on the similar time. Whether or not you’re taking a look at properties in Indianapolis, IN, or in Lubbock, TX, right here’s learn how to promote and purchase a house on the similar time –  and what you’ll be able to count on alongside the best way. 

Begin by understanding your native housing market

Step one when shopping for and promoting a house on the similar time is to resolve what to do first – promote or purchase. Begin by evaluating the native housing market to see which possibility makes essentially the most sense. If you happen to’re shifting to a brand new metropolis, the housing market could also be completely different, so that you’ll must time your own home sale accordingly. Understanding whether or not you’re in a purchaser’s or vendor’s market is a good beginning place. 

Is it a purchaser’s market?

A purchaser’s market means there are extra properties on the market than patrons. As the client, you’ll seemingly have extra choices and negotiating energy. Nevertheless, it may take longer to promote your own home than you’re anticipating. 

Choices to contemplate:

  • Dwelling sale contingency: Means that you can again out of shopping for in case your present house doesn’t promote. It’s helpful if you happen to’re counting on proceeds from the sale.
  • Prolonged closing: Offers you extra time to promote your own home earlier than finalizing the acquisition.

Is it a vendor’s market?

A vendor’s market means there are extra patrons than properties on the market. As the vendor, you’ll seemingly have a neater time promoting your own home. Nevertheless, chances are you’ll discover it troublesome to purchase a house on this market. 

Choices to contemplate:

  • Settlement contingency: Used while you’ve accepted a proposal on your own home however want the sale to shut earlier than buying a brand new one.
  • Lease-back settlement: Means that you can quickly hire your own home from the brand new proprietor, providing you with additional time to search out your subsequent house.

Promote or purchase first – Which possibility is finest for you?

The most effective strategy will depend on your monetary scenario, danger tolerance, and housing market circumstances. Right here’s what to contemplate:

Promote first if: Purchase first if:
You want the proceeds from your own home sale on your subsequent house’s down fee. You have got sufficient financial savings or financing choices (like a HELOC or bridge mortgage) to cowl a down fee earlier than promoting.
You wish to keep away from the chance of paying two mortgages without delay. You wish to keep away from the stress of discovering momentary housing.
You’re in a purchaser’s market, the place properties take longer to promote. You’re in a vendor’s market, the place properties promote rapidly, and chances are you’ll wrestle to discover a new house.

Professionals of promoting your own home first

  • Much less monetary burden: You gained’t pay for 2 mortgages on the similar time.
  • Entry to house sale proceeds: You should utilize the proceeds from your own home sale on your subsequent down fee.
  • No must rush the sale: You gained’t really feel strain to scale back your itemizing value to promote your own home rapidly.

Cons of promoting your own home first

  • Short-term housing: Discovering a brief place to reside earlier than shopping for a brand new house could also be tense. 
  • Transferring twice: You’ll in all probability have to maneuver two occasions, which might be expensive.
  • Tight timeline to purchase: You might really feel strain to discover a new house rapidly.

Professionals of shopping for a house first

  • Extra time to search out the best place: Discovering the best house is probably not as tense or rushed, particularly if in case you have particular wants. 
  • You solely transfer as soon as: There are not any costly storage charges or double shifting bills.
  • You have got your outdated house: If one thing goes incorrect throughout the homebuying course of, you’ll be able to keep in your present home. 

Cons of shopping for a house first

  • Paying for 2 mortgages: You might find yourself paying for 2 properties till you promote your first home, which might be expensive.
  • You might not qualify for a brand new mortgage: If you happen to nonetheless have your present mortgage, a lender might not approve your subsequent one. 
  • Fewer funds for down fee: If most of your cash is tied up in your present house, chances are you’ll not be capable to make a bigger down fee or purchase a costlier house. 
  • Stress to simply accept a proposal: You might really feel pressured to simply accept a decrease supply on your own home if you happen to’re speeding to promote.
  • Challenges of renting your outdated house: If you happen to resolve to hire out your present house till it sells, chances are you’ll face challenges that include being a landlord.

If you happen to’re nonetheless uncertain, seek the advice of an actual property agent who understands your native market and may information you based mostly on present circumstances.

Promoting your own home earlier than shopping for: Ideas to assist

Think about a rent-back settlement

A rent-back settlement is a brief lease the place you hire again your outdated house from the brand new homeowners as soon as the sale is accomplished. This permits you extra time to purchase your subsequent house or full the sale if you happen to’re already within the course of of shopping for. Lease-back agreements may also be possibility, so that you don’t have to maneuver twice.

Request an prolonged cut-off date

You’ll be able to ask for an prolonged cut-off date when promoting your own home. This provides you further time to search out your subsequent house and guarantee there’s little to no overlap when the gross sales shut and it’s good to transfer. 

Plan for momentary housing forward of time

Whether or not you wish to negotiate a rent-back settlement, discover a short-term rental, or reside with household or associates, it’s finest to resolve the place you’re going to reside earlier than itemizing your own home on the market. 

Perceive your finances for getting

If you happen to’re planning to make use of the proceeds from your own home sale to finance your subsequent house, it’s essential to give you a finances prematurely. You’ll have a quantity you’d wish to promote your own home for, however that is probably not the fact. Decide a spread on your finances prematurely and value your own home accordingly. 

Shopping for a house earlier than promoting: Ideas to assist 

Decide your financing choices

Before you purchase your subsequent house, it’s essential to find out the way you’re going to finance the acquisition. There are just a few methods to finance your subsequent house buy if you happen to can’t use the proceeds from your own home sale. Some widespread financing choices embrace utilizing your financial savings, a house fairness line of credit score (HELOC), and a bridge mortgage.

Use your financial savings

It’s doable you’ve got sufficient financial savings to cowl a down fee, which might make it simpler to purchase a brand new house earlier than promoting. Remember the fact that you’ll additionally want sufficient funds for closing prices, further charges, and shifting bills. 

Use a house fairness line of credit score (HELOC)

For a lot of householders, financial savings are tied up of their present house as “fairness.” A house fairness line of credit score (HELOC) lets you entry your own home fairness with the intention to finance your subsequent house buy. If you happen to qualify, this generally is a good possibility to contemplate. 

Use a bridge mortgage

A bridge mortgage is a short-term mortgage that lets you cowl the price of a down fee till the house closes. Some banks supply this mortgage, however not all, and it may be troublesome to qualify. 

Think about a house sale contingency

Together with a house sale contingency in your supply lets you again out of the house sale in case your present house doesn’t promote. In different phrases, shopping for a brand new house is contingent on the sale of your outdated house. 

Request an prolonged closing 

An prolonged closing provides you additional time, if you happen to’re near promoting your outdated house. It can provide you sufficient time to coordinate the sale of your own home whereas buying a brand new one.

Lease out your outdated house

If you happen to’re not near promoting your own home, contemplate renting it out. Relying in the marketplace circumstances, this may be a good suggestion to assist offset the prices of proudly owning two properties. 

FAQs about shopping for and promoting on the similar time 

Ought to I purchase or promote first?

It’s as much as you and your circumstances whether or not you promote your present house or purchase a brand new one first. There are professionals and cons to each methods, however understanding your funds, figuring out a timeline, and dealing with a talented actual property agent will help make the method that a lot simpler. 

What occurs if I promote my house however can’t discover a new one in time?

If you happen to promote first however don’t have a brand new house lined up, you’ll be able to contemplate a rent-back settlement, short-term rental, or staying with household or associates when you proceed your own home search.

How do I time promoting and shopping for to keep away from paying two mortgages?

To attenuate overlap, you’ll be able to:

  • Negotiate a contingency in your buy settlement that will depend on promoting your present house.
  • Request an prolonged closing interval on your new house.
  • Use a bridge mortgage if momentary twin funds are mandatory.

What if my house doesn’t promote as rapidly as I count on?

If your own home takes longer to promote:

  • Think about decreasing your asking value.
  • Enhance staging and advertising and marketing along with your actual property agent.
  • Look into renting out your own home quickly to offset prices.

Can I exploit my 401(okay) to purchase my subsequent house?

You’ll be able to withdraw or take a mortgage out of your 401(okay) to purchase your subsequent house. Nevertheless, there are numerous penalties and strict compensation schedules related to utilizing your 401(okay) funds. It’s finest to speak with a monetary advisor first. 

Ought to I exploit the identical actual property agent for promoting and shopping for?

Utilizing the identical agent can simplify coordination and negotiations, however if you happen to’re shifting to a distinct metropolis, an area skilled in your new space could also be extra helpful.

How do I make a proposal on a brand new house with out the proceeds from promoting my present one?

You’ll be able to embrace a house sale contingency, negotiate an extended closing interval, or use a HELOC or bridge mortgage to finance the acquisition quickly.

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Articles