Selling and Buying at the Same Time? Here’s How to Make Your Move Work for You

If you’re a homeowner getting ready to move, one question usually comes first: Should you buy your next home before you sell, or sell your current house before you start looking?

There’s no single right answer. The best approach depends on your finances, your local market, your timeline, and how much flexibility you have. Working with a trusted real estate agent can help you weigh your options and create a plan that works for you.

That said, for many homeowners, selling first can put you in a strong position for the next chapter.

The Advantages of Selling First

Selling is often the more complicated half of a move, so getting that step taken care of first can give you more clarity as you move forward. And with more homes available for buyers right now, properties may take a little longer to sell than they did a year or two ago.

So, what can selling first do for you? Let’s start with the financial side.

1. You Can Avoid Paying Two Mortgages

Buy before you sell, and you could end up carrying two mortgages at once. If your current home takes longer to sell than expected, that overlap could put additional pressure on your budget. Unexpected repairs or other costs can add to that, too.

Selling first can help take that uncertainty off the table. You’ll know your current home is sold and can move forward with a clearer picture of what comes next.

As Ramsey Solutions puts it:

“It’s best to sell your old home before buying a new one to avoid unnecessary risks and possible headaches.”

2. You Can Put Your Home Equity to Work

One of the biggest advantages of selling first is knowing exactly how much you’ll have available from the sale of your current home.

Your equity is essentially the value of your home minus what you still owe on your mortgage. And for many homeowners, that can represent a meaningful amount of money.

According to Realtor.com, homeowners who have been in their homes for five years have about $180,000 in equity on average, while those who have owned their homes for six to ten years have more than $340,000.

Once you sell, those proceeds can help fund the down payment on your next home or give you more flexibility when deciding what you want to spend.

Having those numbers in hand can make your next move feel a lot more manageable.

3. Your Offer May Be More Competitive

When your current home is already sold, you don’t have to make your offer on your next home contingent on that sale.

That can make your offer more appealing to sellers because there’s one less piece of the puzzle to worry about. And in a market where buyers may be taking more time to make decisions, having a straightforward path to closing can be a real advantage.

Depending on the situation, it may also give you more room to negotiate things like repairs or other terms. Your agent can help you understand where you have leverage and how to use it strategically.

Is There a Catch?

Selling first does come with a few tradeoffs, and it’s worth looking at both sides before deciding what makes the most sense for you.

Here’s a quick breakdown based on information from Zillow (see visual below):

The good news is that many of these challenges can be planned for. Your agent may be able to negotiate a rent-back agreement, which allows you to stay in your home for a set period after closing, or work with the other party on flexible closing dates.

The goal isn’t simply to sell first or buy first. It’s to create a plan that keeps your move as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Make Your Next Move With a Plan

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when you’re buying and selling at the same time. For some homeowners, buying first may make the most sense. For others, selling first can provide more financial clarity, flexibility, and confidence as they search for their next home.

At the Price Group, we help our clients look at the full picture - from timing and pricing to negotiations and the transition between homes. If you’re thinking about making a move, we can help you understand your options and build a strategy around what matters most to you.

Selling, buying, or figuring out how to do both? We’re here to help you make your next move with confidence.