Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time: How to Time It Right for a Smooth Transition

One of the trickiest moves in real estate is timing a home purchase when you need to sell your current home. If you’re in this situation, you might be wondering:

Do I need to sell before I buy?
Can I buy first and then sell?
How do I time everything so I don’t end up with two mortgages or no home at all?

At The Shaina McAndrews Team at eXp Realty, we specialize in helping sellers smoothly transition into their next home without the stress of mistiming the market or feeling financially stretched.

Here’s how we break it down:

Step 1: Organizing Your Finances – Can You Buy Before You Sell?

The first step in timing your buy-and-sell transaction is to sit down with one of our recommended lenders to assess:

Your financial position – Can you qualify for a new mortgage before selling?
Your options for carrying two mortgages (if needed)
Whether you need a home sale contingency – This determines if you must sell your current home before buying your next one.

Why This Matters:

If you don’t need to sell first, you have more flexibility in timing your move.
If you do need to sell first, we strategize the best way to align both transactions to avoid homeless gaps or double payments.

Ready to get started? Let’s connect you with our trusted lender today!

Step 2: Home Walkthrough & Valuation – Understanding Your Home’s Market Value

While we’re figuring out your financing, I’ll personally walk through your home with you to:

Determine your home’s current market value
Discuss anything that should be done before selling (if you’re up for it!)
Identify any repairs or updates that will increase your sale price

If You Want to Make Updates: We’ll create a quick, high-impact improvement plan to help you get top dollar without over-investing.

If You Want to Sell As-Is: No problem! We’ll adjust pricing strategy accordingly to attract the best offers.

Step 3: What Does Your Timeline Look Like?

Scenario 1: You Need a Home Sale Contingency (Selling Before Buying)

If your lender determines you must sell your home before you can buy, we create a strategic plan to ensure a seamless transition.

📅 Here’s what that timeline might look like:

List your home & get it under contract (Usually takes 30-60 days depending on the market)
Start house hunting while we’re in the escrow period (Once your home is under contract, sellers are more likely to accept your offer)
Make an offer on your next home with a home sale contingency (This means your purchase depends on your current home successfully closing)
Coordinate closing dates so you can move directly from your old home to your new one (No need for temporary housing!)

Pros:

Avoids carrying two mortgages
Ensures financial security before committing to a new home
Lower stress, knowing your current home is sold

Cons:

Limits buying power since some sellers may not accept contingency offers
Requires careful coordination to avoid moving delays

Want to explore this option? Let’s chat about how to make it work!

Scenario 2: You Don’t Need a Home Sale Contingency (Buying Before Selling)

If your lender gives you the green light to buy before selling, you’ll have more flexibility in your timeline.

Here’s what that timeline might look like:

Start house hunting immediately (You’re in a stronger position since your offer won’t be contingent on selling your current home.)
Make an offer & secure financing (Your lender will help you navigate the best loan structure.)
Close on your new home and move in (You now have time to prep your old home for sale while living comfortably in your new place.)
List and sell your previous home on your schedule (We maximize its value without rushing.)

Pros:

Stronger negotiating power as a buyer
No pressure to sell your home immediately
Less stress around timing the move

Cons:

Requires financial ability to handle two mortgages temporarily
Some risk if your old home takes longer to sell

Thinking about buying first? Let’s discuss if it makes sense for you!

Step 4: Let’s Create Your Custom Plan!

Buying and selling at the same time doesn’t have to be stressful—with the right plan, we can make it a seamless, successful experience.

At The Shaina McAndrews Team, we will:

Connect you with the right lender to determine your best financing options
Walk through your home to determine pricing & any updates that may be needed
Strategically plan your home sale & purchase timeline
Negotiate the best deals on both sides of the transaction

📅 Schedule a Free Consultation
📩 Email me at: Shaina@MontCoLiving.com

Let’s strategize your next move together—so you can transition smoothly into your new home this year!