If you already own a home and are thinking about moving, one big question is on your mind: Should you sell first, buy first, or try to do both at the same time?
You’re not alone. This is one of the most common dilemmas buyers face in today’s real estate market. With low inventory, rising prices, and fast-moving homes, the stakes can feel higher than ever. The truth is, there’s no single answer. What works best depends on your goals, finances, flexibility, and the current market conditions.
At Team Lirette, we’ve helped countless clients navigate this balancing act. Below, we’ll break down the different approaches so you can decide what makes the most sense for your situation.
Why This Decision Matters Now
Today’s market presents both exciting opportunities and unique challenges for buyers and sellers.
Homes in desirable areas continue to sell quickly, sometimes with multiple offers. For sellers, that’s great news, but it also means you may feel pressured to find your next home fast.
At the same time, rising interest rates and home prices have added urgency for buyers. Many homeowners are eager to secure their next property before prices climb higher, but they don’t want the stress of carrying two mortgages or scrambling to line up closing dates.
As a result, more clients are carefully weighing their options and leaning on trusted real estate experts to guide them.
Selling First, Then Buying
For many homeowners, the most straightforward path is to sell their current home first and then purchase their next one.
This approach gives you financial clarity and flexibility. Once your home is sold, you’ll know exactly how much money you have to work with. That strengthens your buying power and makes it easier to secure financing. You’ll also avoid the stress of potentially carrying two mortgages if your old home takes longer to sell.
The challenge with selling first is that if you can’t immediately find your next home, you may need to arrange temporary housing or negotiate a lease-back with your buyer. For some, this in-between phase can be stressful, but for others it’s a chance to shop for their next home without the pressure of rushing.
This strategy is well-suited for sellers who want to maximize the value of their current home and have the flexibility to manage a short-term housing solution if needed.
Buying First, Then Selling
Some buyers choose the opposite route: purchasing their next home before listing their current one.
This approach offers comfort and convenience. You can move directly into your new home without worrying about temporary housing or multiple moves. It also gives you the chance to stage your old home once it’s empty, which can help it sell faster and for a better price.
The downside is financial risk. You may temporarily carry two mortgage payments if your old home doesn’t sell quickly. Buyers using this strategy usually need to be in a strong financial position or have a solid backup plan.
This approach works best for buyers who can handle overlapping housing costs or who are purchasing in a competitive market where contingent offers are unlikely to be successful.
Buying and Selling at the Same Time
Coordinating both transactions at once can be the most seamless option, but it is also the most complex.
When everything lines up, moving from one home to the next without needing temporary housing feels ideal. The key is careful planning and strong coordination. Your agent must manage multiple moving parts, including negotiations, inspections, financing, and closing schedules, to keep both deals on track.
In many cases, this strategy also requires making a contingent offer, which can be difficult to secure. Sellers are often cautious about accepting an offer that depends on the buyer’s current home selling. From their perspective, it adds another layer of uncertainty to the deal. On the other side, buyers can feel stressed knowing that their ability to move forward relies on everything lining up perfectly with the sale of their own home.
While this approach can alleviate the stress of temporary housing or paying two mortgages, it requires flexibility and excellent communication skills. Even with solid preparation, delays in one transaction can ripple through to the other.
We recommend this strategy for clients who are comfortable managing a more complex process and who have an experienced real estate team guiding them through every detail.
How Team Lirette Helps
At Team Lirette, we’ve guided clients through all of these scenarios: selling first, buying first, and managing both at once.
We start by learning your personal goals, financial situation, and timeline. From there, we recommend the best strategy for your needs and guide you through each step with clarity and confidence.
Our expertise allows us to accurately assess pricing, timing, and demand for your current home. Our strong relationships with lenders, title companies, and service providers also help ensure a smooth process from contract to close. Clear communication is always a priority, so you’ll know what’s happening at each stage.
Our goal is to remove as much stress as possible, so you can focus on the exciting part: moving into your next home.
Finding the Best Path Forward
There’s no one correct answer when it comes to selling first, buying first, or doing both at the same time. The best choice depends on your circumstances, your market, and your comfort level.
What matters most is having the proper guidance. If you’re considering a move, Team Lirette is here to help with expert advice, personalized service, and a commitment to making your transition smooth and successful.
Ready to make your move? Contact Team Lirette today, and let’s start the conversation.