Many sellers are also buyers, and a good plan makes the two fit together. Here are the common ways to do it.
Common approaches
- Sell first, then buy. You know your proceeds exactly and can shop with a firm budget. Some sellers rent temporarily in between.
- Buy first, then sell. You can take your time finding the right home, often using a bridge loan or a home equity line to cover the down payment until your sale closes.
- Contingent offers. You make an offer on a new home that depends on selling your current one. Some sellers accept this, and it can weaken an offer in a busy market.
- Rent-back. After closing, you rent your home from the buyer for a short period so your move lines up with your purchase.
- Same-day closings. With good coordination, your sale and purchase can close close together.
What to line up
1. A conversation with your lender about your buying power after the sale. 2. A calendar showing when you need to move out and when you can move in. 3. Rudy's coordination of both transactions.
Estimate both sides
Use the net proceeds estimator for the sale and the affordability calculator for the purchase.
Talk to a lender. Rates, loan programs and approvals come from lenders, not from websites or real estate agents. Talk to your own mortgage broker, or use our preferred lender, Rodrigo Ballon with CrossCountry Mortgage, at 858-735-0255. You are always free to choose any lender you like, and you can verify any lender’s license at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
Every plan has trade-offs. Rudy and your lender will help you choose the one that fits your goals.
More in Seller Guides
- Pricing Your Home: Comparable Sales, Appraisals and Online Estimates — How a smart price is set, and how to use online estimates, appraisals and comparable sales together.
- Getting Your Home Ready: What Pays Off — A short, smart to-do list: the improvements, cleaning and staging that help homes shine.
- Seller Disclosures: The Forms, Made Simple — The California disclosure forms sellers complete, and how to fill them out with confidence.
- What You Keep: Costs, Net Proceeds and Tax Basics — The costs of selling, how to estimate your net, and the federal home-sale exclusion explained.
- From Listing to Closing: The Timeline — A typical week-by-week schedule for selling a home, from preparation to closing day.
- Comparing Offers: Price, Terms and Certainty — How to read offers side by side and pick the one most likely to close on your terms.
- Special Situations: Probate and Trust Sales, Tenants, ADUs and More — Guidance for estate and trust sales, homes with tenants, accessory dwelling units and other special cases.
General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Programs, rules and limits change, so confirm details with your lender, escrow officer, attorney or tax professional.