Ask Nanci
Can I sell my house and buy a new one at the same time?
Short Answer
Yes, many families sell one home and buy another at the same time, and it works well when the sequence is planned carefully. The key decisions are whether to sell first, buy first, or use a bridge strategy, and how to protect each contract so one does not jeopardize the other. With a clear plan and real numbers, you can avoid carrying two payments or being left without a place to live.
Why the sequence matters
Selling and buying at once is really two moves that have to line up. The risk is the middle: selling your home and having nowhere to go, or buying first and carrying two properties.
A clear sequence, decided with real numbers, is what makes it work.
Your three main options
Sell first gives you cash and certainty but can leave you needing a place between homes. Buy first gives you time but can mean carrying two payments.
A middle path, like a bridge loan or a leaseback, can cover the gap and let both moves line up more comfortably.
Protecting both contracts
When both deals move at once, each contract can include protections that keep one from endangering the other. A sale contingency on your purchase or a leaseback on your sale can buy you time.
I structure the contracts so your purchase does not fall apart if your sale slips.
The financial picture
The numbers that matter are your equity, your down payment, and your ability to handle any overlap in payments. We run those together before you commit.
Knowing your floor and your ceiling keeps the plan realistic.
How Nanci can help
This is one of the things I do most, guiding families through selling and buying at the same time. I help you choose the right sequence, run the numbers, and protect both sides of the move.
You get a clear plan that keeps your family housed and your budget protected.
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