How to navigate buying and selling a home at the same time
Schedule the swap to reap the most financial benefits


If you own your current home and are hoping to purchase a new one, timing the swap can be tricky. Ideally, closing on your new home would dovetail perfectly with the sale of your old home. But things do not always work out so seamlessly, and less-than-ideal timing on either a purchase or a sale can throw a number of wrenches into the situation.
Read on for some tips to get as close to nailing the transition as you can.
Get to know the markets
Having a grasp on the "state of the real estate market in your area is often the biggest factor in timing your home purchase and sale correctly," said Zillow. If you are buying in a different area from where you are selling, that is going to double your homework. It is important to do your research, though, because the "length of time it takes to buy and sell can vary dramatically depending on the local real estate scene."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The housing markets can also tip you off to how much you may be able to spend — "in a seller's market, you may get the highest selling price for your house," while "in a buyer's market, you may purchase your new home for a steep bargain," said Rocket Mortgage.
Weigh whether to buy or sell first
Either order can work, but they have different pros and cons. If you buy before you sell, "one of the biggest advantages" is that you can "house hunt at your own pace," said Realtor.com. On the other hand, the financial aspect may get tricky. You could struggle with "managing two mortgages at once or securing bridge financing," or it may be "more difficult to qualify for a new mortgage, especially if your debt-to-income ratio is high."
Meanwhile, if you sell first, "you know exactly how much you can budget for the purchase of your new home," said Investopedia. But you may end up needing to "pay for storage and temporary housing," which can add up.
There are also options in between, such as renting out your old home, putting a contingency in your offer based on the sale of your old home or requesting a delayed closing to give you more time.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Work with a knowledgeable real estate agent
An experienced local agent "will not only be able to help you determine the market value of your home, but they'll be able to talk you through timing, strategy and negotiation" when navigating simultaneous buying and selling, said Zillow.
One option that can consolidate your concerns is working with the same agent for both buying and selling, if you are moving within the same real estate market. As an added bonus, this could end up "saving you money on commission costs," said Investopedia.
Even if you cannot do this — say, because you are moving cross-country — making sure to hire an agent "experienced in buying and selling simultaneously" is still vital, given "how one transaction can affect the other," said Realtor.com.
Becca Stanek has worked as an editor and writer in the personal finance space since 2017. She previously served as a deputy editor and later a managing editor overseeing investing and savings content at LendingTree and as an editor at the financial startup SmartAsset, where she focused on retirement- and financial-adviser-related content. Before that, Becca was a staff writer at The Week, primarily contributing to Speed Reads.
-
September 7 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday’s political cartoons include stressing about Powerball, and a busy FBI schedule
-
Nvidia: unstoppable force, or powering down?
Talking Point Sales of firm's AI-powering chips have surged above market expectations –but China is the elephant in the room
-
5 hard-working cartoons about Labor Day celebrations
Cartoons Artists take on creation of AI, spelling mistakes, and more
-
How much does it cost to move? Here's how to budget and save.
the explainer Factors like move distance and the weight of your furnishings can affect the total cost — but there are several ways to economize
-
When does a personal loan make sense?
the explainer Personal loans tend to be more flexible and versatile than home, auto or student loans
-
Should you downsize for retirement? Here's what to consider.
The Explainer Moving to a smaller place may seem easier, but there are also some real benefits to staying put
-
What to do if you want to move but don't want to give up your low mortgage rate
the explainer 30-year mortgage rates are currently averaging 7% — and homeowners who secured rates closer to 3% during the pandemic are reluctant to sell their homes
-
Is hands-off investing the way to go?
The Explainer In many cases, your money might be better off left alone
-
What to know before turning to AI for financial advice
the explainer It can help you crunch the numbers — but it might also pocket your data
-
Should you add your child to your credit card?
The Explainer You can make them an authorized user on your account in order to help them build credit
-
How will the new Repayment Assistance Plan for student loans work?
the explainer The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will replace existing income-driven repayment plans