Should I Sell My Home Before Buying a New One?

In Summary:

• It’s common for homeowners to be unsure which order to follow when buying and selling a property.
• Knowing when to sell comes down to balancing financial patience with your personal risk tolerance.
• There’s no one-size-fits-all approach — working with local experts like Schulte & Co. ensures a smoother transition and stronger results.

When you buy a new home, temporarily managing two properties can be overwhelming. So, many consider: “Should I sell my home before buying a new one?”

We have often seen sellers wrestle with this concern in Gig Harbor, especially when their lives, jobs, or other circumstances change. So, ensure that you get clarity on how to handle the situation, including understanding the financing behind decisions and whether local real estate supply and demand will significantly impact your efforts.

The Pros of Selling Before You Buy

Selling first can often make you appear more assured as a buyer. The money you have in advance can reassure the seller of your intentions and take a lot of pressure off your shoulders. 

It can also give you the resources to make much more competitive cash offers, helping you double down on the property without needing temporary financing while you sell. 

The certainty this strategy offers also allows you to make better plans at every step of the process post-purchase, whether that's booking a moving service or looking for a new job in a different area. 

The Potential Challenges of Selling First

Selling first can add time pressure to the process, as no one wants to be without a home in the long term. That urgency can sometimes nudge you towards accepting a weaker offer. This issue might compound if seasonality and other timing factors affect Gig Harbor home prices, leaving you in a more challenging position after the sale.

As such, make yourself aware of the patterns and trends in local prices. Alternatively, investigate a short post-closing rent-back to bridge the gap while you find your next home.

The Pros of Buying Before You Sell

Buying first gives you the certainty that you have a property. You can avoid interim housing or rent-backs, selling on your own timeline instead. 

It is beneficial to ensure the closing day for buying a property falls on a day with a favorable mortgage rate, as indicated by Freddie Mac. Then, you can aim for the best deal possible and worry less about interest.

If you need a little help in this regard, our buyer service is available to help you dot the “i”s and cross the “t”s when you’ve found just the place for you.

The Challenges of Buying First

If you buy first, then you will have extra work on your hands. For example, it may mean you are managing two mortgages at once, which can be a delicate juggling act. Some people offset this by turning the second home into a very temporary source of income through short-term rental, but this option is not always possible.

As the Realtors Confidence Index shows, in September 2025, U.S. properties spent a median of 33 days on the market. If that trend continues and you do not sell first, you will likely need to spend another month marketing your property after your purchase.

Like when buying, you may often feel pressured to sell faster, often by taking a worse deal. Talk to a professional real estate agent when this occurs, as they may have key advice on the nature of the market in your area that you can leverage to your benefit.

Factors to Help You Decide

If you’re not sure which one will be best for you, consider the market conditions first. Look at the affordability and demand of property in the area, and then think about whether you think these will shift significantly in the time between now and finalizing on closing both the purchase and the sale.

You may also want to consider your own readiness, in terms of:

• Available equity

• Job relocation

• Family needs

• Upcoming public holidays

In many ways, the number of factors you may want to consider is almost limitless. For this reason, we have put together several move-planning resources, including information on the unique costs you may be facing, that may help you map each of these concerns and work out what your next move should be.

Creative Solutions and Realtor Guidance

Before you start to take action to offset any challenges you may face here, ensure that you understand the full lifecycle of a real estate purchase or sale. The differences between contingent and pending listings, for example, can trip you up, so it may be helpful to understand them so you can take action at the right time.

Other options you may want to consider include:

• Taking out a short-term bridge loan (temporary financing) can help you close on the home you want before your own sale

• Before you buy a property, a sale contract can potentially include a temporary post-closing rent-back (leasing the property back from the buyer).

• A home-sale contingency (a contract confirming your intent to buy a property after the sale of your own) can lock down the property without you needing money until later.

Be sure to check whether renting is possible if your property is within an HOA, however.

Paige Schulte has experience helping clients with all of these, so don’t be afraid to ask more about them the next time you get in contact.

Working with Professionals to Make the Final Decision

When it comes to moving from one property to another, there is no “perfect” order to do things in. It all comes down to personal preferences and logistical requirements. So, if you’re struggling to make that decision, why not call us to see how we can help you choose?

Between our tailored, concierge sales service, including professional staging and property marketing, and our deep local expertise, we have dozens of ways we can help you both buy and sell.

To learn more about what this means, get in touch today and talk to us about your next steps.

FAQs: Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time

Should I sell my house before buying a new one?

Selling first gives you access to funds and makes your next offer more competitive. It also reduces financial stress since you won’t carry two mortgages. However, it can add time pressure to find your next home quickly. Your best option depends on your finances, the local market, and your comfort level with risk.

Can I buy and sell a house at the same time?

Yes, it’s possible to buy and sell simultaneously with careful planning. Many homeowners use bridge loans, rent-backs, or home-sale contingencies to manage timing and financing. Working with a Realtor experienced in coordinating dual transactions—like Schulte & Co.—can make the process seamless.

What are the risks of buying before selling?

Buying first gives you certainty about your next home but may leave you carrying two mortgages at once. If your existing property takes longer to sell, you could face temporary financial strain. Some homeowners offset this with short-term rentals or bridge financing to cover costs between transactions.

What if I sell my house but haven’t found a new one yet?

Consider negotiating a rent-back agreement with your buyer, allowing you to stay in your home for a short period after closing. This gives you time to find and purchase your next property without rushing the process or needing temporary housing.

How can a Realtor help when buying and selling at the same time?

A professional Realtor like Paige Schulte coordinates both sides of your transaction—timing closings, negotiating contingencies, and managing communication between lenders, buyers, and sellers. This helps minimize stress and ensures a smooth, strategic transition. Contact Schulte & Co. to plan your move with expert guidance.