Moving up or downsizing
Two moves. One plan.
Selling one home and buying the next is a sequence. Get the order and the timing right, and the whole move feels a lot calmer.
The big question
Sell first or buy first?
There's no one right answer. Here are the trade-offs I'll walk you through, using your numbers and your timing.
Sell first
You know exactly what you have to spend and you won't carry two homes. The trade-off: you may need a longer completion date or somewhere to stay in between.
Buy first
You lock in the next home before you list. The trade-off: you may carry two properties for a time or need bridge financing from your lender.
Subject to sale
You make an offer that only firms up if your home sells by a set date. It protects you, but sellers may see it as a weaker offer when demand is strong.
General information only. Your mortgage professional can confirm what works for your situation, including bridge financing.
How I plan it
Both sides, in the right order.
Your home's value
A walkthrough and a written market evaluation, so you know what you're working with.
Your next home
We view a couple of homes you might move into early, so you can picture the whole move.
The timeline
We line up listing, offers, completion and possession dates with your mortgage professional and lawyer.
Two negotiations
I negotiate the sale and the purchase with both sides of your move in mind.
Step one
Start with your home.
Whether you're moving up or scaling down, it starts with knowing what your current home is worth.
- A written market evaluation based on recent comparable sales
- A conversation about where you'd like to go next
- No cost and no obligation
Common questions
Moving questions.
Should I sell first or buy first?
Selling first gives you a firm budget and avoids carrying two homes, but you may need a longer completion date or a short-term place to stay. Buying first secures the next home, but can mean carrying two properties or relying on bridge financing. The right order depends on your finances, the market and your comfort with risk.
What is a subject-to-sale offer?
It's an offer to buy a home that only becomes firm if you sell your current home by a set date. It protects you from owning two homes, but sellers often see it as weaker than an offer without that condition, especially when demand is strong.
What is bridge financing?
A short-term loan some lenders offer when you've bought your next home and sold your current one, but the purchase completes before the sale. It covers the gap between the two dates. Availability and cost depend on your lender, so ask your mortgage professional.
Let's talk
Planning your next move? Let's map it out.
No pressure and no obligation. Tell me what you're thinking, and I'll help you figure out the next step.
250-215-7700