Should You Buy or Sell First?

If you’re thinking about moving, one of the first questions you may ask is: “Should we buy our next home first, or sell our current home first?”

The truth? It depends. Every homeowner’s situation is different, which is why we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, we look at the pros and cons of each option, potential obstacles, financing, timing and—most importantly—what makes sense for you.

Buy First: Find Your Next Home Before You Sell

Buying first can give you the comfort of knowing where you’re going. You won’t feel pressured to find a new home quickly, and you can take your time finding the right fit.

But there’s a big consideration: you could end up owning two homes.

Can you comfortably carry two mortgages? What happens if your current home takes longer to sell than expected? What financing options are available to bridge the gap?

These are questions worth answering before you make an offer.

Sell First: Know Where You Stand

Selling first gives you a much clearer picture of your net proceeds and what you can comfortably spend on your next home.

It also eliminates the stress and financial risk of carrying two properties.

The challenge is making sure you have enough time to find your next home. That’s where careful planning comes in. A longer closing period, combined with actively looking for your next home while yours is on the market, can create a much smoother transition.

It’s About More Than Timing

Market conditions matter, too. Days on market, inventory and the relationship between sales and new listings can help us understand how your home may perform in the current market. From there, we can develop the right pricing and marketing strategy to attract buyers and stand out from competing listings.

And when you find your next home, the same attention to detail is needed on the buying side—negotiating appropriate safeguards, coordinating inspections, financing, appraisals and lawyers, and making sure important deadlines can actually be met.

OurApproach? Plan Carefully, Then Be Ready to Adapt.

We like a cautious, thorough and well-executed plan with realistic timelines and achievable goals. But real estate doesn’t always go exactly according to plan. Markets change, opportunities come up and circumstances shift. Being able to reassess and adjust when necessary is just as important as having the original plan.

For many homeowners, selling first is a good way to reduce risk, establish your available funds and give yourself a clear starting point for your next purchase. Ideally, we’ll negotiate enough time between closing dates for you to find the right home—not simply the next available home.

Most importantly, you shouldn’t have to figure all of this out on your own.

A successful move takes more than putting a house on the market and writing an offer. It takes someone who can anticipate what needs to happen next, coordinate the moving parts, identify potential problems and keep things moving when the unexpected happens.

Our goal is to make your move feel less overwhelming, more organized and—most importantly—well supported from start to finish and beyond.

If you’re considering a move, let’s talk about your options before you decide whether to buy or sell first.