The Juggle is Real: Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time
If you’ve ever considered selling your current home and buying your next one at the same time, welcome to the club. My family and I are doing just that right now, and I can tell you firsthand: it’s a lot. But with the right strategy and a little hustle, it’s absolutely possible.
It’s not uncommon, especially when you’re leveling up in the home game, to want to tap into the equity of your current home to help fund your next move. For us, that equity wasn’t just our bridge to a new home; it was also how we created room in the budget for renovations. That meant we had to get serious about planning, strategy, and timing from day one.
Step One: Know Your Financial Picture
The first step is always the same: get your financials in order. Pre-approval should come before anything else—before you start browsing homes, before you list, before you fall in love with your next house.
We’re all still adjusting to the sticker shock of higher interest rates, but the reality is that 6 to 7 percent is likely the new normal, at least for now. Knowing your actual numbers is crucial. Online rate calculators don’t tell the whole story. Credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and loan type can all shift your real rate significantly.
If you don’t have a trusted lender, it’s important to get connected early. A good lender will help you understand what’s truly affordable for your situation and position you to act quickly when the right home shows up.
Step Two: Map Out Your Strategy
If you’re relying on the sale of your current home to close on your new one, you’ll most likely need to write a sale-of-home contingency into your offer. This means the purchase is dependent on your current home selling.
That’s where your Realtor comes in. A seasoned agent (hint, hint) will know how to strategize and negotiate this contingency into your offer in a way that’s clear, compelling, and competitive.
For us, we weren’t planning to move. But when our dream scenario presented itself, we had to move fast and smart. We got our house market-ready in record time and lined up our listing launch to coincide with our accepted offer on the new home.
Step Three: Prep Your Home Like a Pro
Once you're under contract on your new place, or even before, your current home needs to be listed in the best possible light. This includes:
Decluttering and deep cleaning
Staging or thoughtful furniture edits
Prepping for showings
Having a double-move or temporary housing plan in place
The listing of your current home becomes mission critical because now you’re on a timeline.
One big tip? Don’t overprice it.
Now is not the time to “test the market” with a high price tag. Price your home competitively, and you may even attract multiple offers. And while that’s great, remember: it only takes one solid offer to move you toward your goal.
What We’ve Learned So Far
Personally, this process has been equal parts stressful and exciting. It’s forced us to get crystal clear on our goals, our budget, and what really matters. The truth is, real estate is always about more than just bricks and mortar. It’s about timing, emotion, and strategy.
Your trusted agent should have a clear plan to pre-market your home, create buzz, and help you hit the ground running when you go live. For us, that plan made all the difference.
Thinking About Buying and Selling at the Same Time?
Here’s what I’ll leave you with:
It’s 100% doable
The right team makes all the difference
A little planning now can save you a lot of stress later
If you're considering a move and want help thinking through the logistics, let's talk. Whether you’re dreaming big or already have your eye on something specific, we’d love to help you make it happen: one step at a time.
