Moving up or moving down: buying and selling together
The hard part is timing. We plan the sale of your current home and the purchase of the next one together, so you know your options before you list: sell first, buy first, or line the closings up. I'm Justin Jones with Waterman Real Estate, and I can help with both sides.
Three ways to sequence it
- Sell first, then buy. You know exactly what you have to spend. You may need somewhere to live between closings, or a longer closing on your sale.
- Buy first, then sell. You find the right home without a deadline from a buyer. You may be carrying two homes for a while, so a lender needs to confirm you can afford that.
- Line the closings up. You time your sale and purchase to close close together. It works, but it depends on the other parties, so it needs a plan and a backup.
What I do before you list
- Price your current home honestly. A free comparative market analysis from recent nearby sales, not an automated estimate.
- Get your lender's view. What you can borrow, what you'd net from the sale, and how the two fit together.
- Choose the order from the numbers, not from a guess.
- Write offers that match the plan. The terms you offer should fit your timeline and your loan.
Book a free consultation or home value review.
Common questions
Should I sell first or buy first?
It depends on your finances, your timeline and how comfortable you are with risk. Selling first gives you a firm budget but may mean a temporary place to live. Buying first can feel safer but may mean carrying two homes. We compare both options with real numbers from a lender before you decide.
Can I make an offer that depends on selling my current home?
Sometimes. An offer can include a condition tied to the sale of your home, but sellers may see it as a weaker offer, depending on the market. We talk through how your offer will read to the seller before you submit it.
What if I need the money from my current home for the down payment?
Tell your lender and me early. How and when you can use sale proceeds affects the loan, the offer and the closing dates. A lender can tell you what options fit your situation.
Is a Zillow estimate what my home is worth?
No. An automated estimate is one signal, not an appraisal. A comparative market analysis looks at recent nearby sales, condition, size, lot and upgrades. I offer one for free.
I want a smaller home. Is anything different?
The steps are the same, but the planning changes. You may not need a loan at all, or may need a smaller one. Talk to a tax professional about how proceeds from your sale are treated, because I can't give tax advice.
I'm not a lender, attorney or tax professional. Talk to one about your own situation. I never quote rates or promise a sale price or timeline.
Last verified: 2026-10-06