How to Approach Buying and Selling Overlaps

by Jamie Jamieson 10/11/2020

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Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay

Unless you're a first-time home shopper, you'll need to acquire your next home while selling your current home. How do buyers finesse this?

When buyers are competing with each other for a tight inventory of available homes, the ones who are ready to come to the table fastest, not the ones with contingencies, are most likely to succeed.

So, what's an ordinary buyer to do? Here are the top solutions—not all for the faint of heart!

  • The collaboration: Ask the buyer of your current home to go ahead to closing, but let you rent it for a month or two past then. If the buyer really wants your place and is in the position to do it, your problem is solved. Obviously, this arrangement isn't for all buyers. But every situation is unique, and this might work for yours.
  • The photo finish: Plan to schedule simultaneous closings on both homes, if a motivated, approved buyer can agree to wait for you to complete your purchase. It's been done. There is some risk here, not to mention moving van challenges! If your buyer has to pull out for any reason, you may still have to close on your new home. 
  • The bridge loan solution: With a bridge loan, you can purchase a home before selling, borrowing against your current home equity until you have the sale proceeds in hand. These are meant to be short loans. A bridge loan will get pricey if your home takes longer than expected to close. Steer clear of depending on this kind of loan for more that the span of a few weeks.
  • The contingent offer: You can line up a new home without having to take on the new mortgage until you're done with your sale. Yet few sellers are happy to accept contingent offers and hold on until a buyer's home sells. Contingent offer agreements usually only stay open for about 60 days and often have clauses that can accelerate the buyer's need to commit, allowing the seller to accept another offer. 
  • The sell-and-hotel method: This is a good way to reduce risks. Sell your home, take stock of your bank account, and know exactly what you can comfortably purchase. Store any furnishings you plan to take with you, and get a short-term rental for yourself. This means moving twice, but it also means you have money from the sale, and you're not buried under two mortgages.

Selling one home to buy the next makes the already complex matter of home buying...more so. But an experienced real estate agent can lead along the best path for your circumstances and put you in touch with financial professionals where needed. 

About the Author
Author

Jamie Jamieson

Professional Association National Association of Realtors (NAR) New York State Association of Realtors (NYSAR) Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors/ Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service Education I hold an A.A in Italian Studies and an A.S in Accounting as well as being one of few students accepted into the Cambridge University International Student Study Program abroad as a returning student in 2011. Community Involvement I am proud to serve on the Home & School Board for St. Augustine School in Ossining and maintain the role of a Girl Scout leader. I am an active member of the community assisting in a variety of fundraising efforts. Personal I am a young and energetic agent who prides myself on providing personalized service with honest representation whether you are buying or selling your home. My expertise of the river towns, attention to detail and excitement for real estate are a few of the many assets I will bring to you. I will utilize my eagerness and market knowledge of the area to build lasting relationships with all of my clients that will extend far beyond the closing table. Be at ease from start to finish with my help. In my spare time, I love exploring the Hudson Valley with my husband, three children and our dog, Pippin. I love scoping out the infinite restaurants, farmers markets and other fabulous activities this exciting county has to offer. Experience Before joining William Raveis Legends Realty Group I started my career with Hudson Homes Sotheby's International Realty team. Prior to real estate, I had a remarkable 15+ year career in Restaurant Management/Hospitality including Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Rivermarket and several establishments in Newport, Rhode Island. My experience in that field provided me with the foundation of excellence in customer service. Areas Covered All of Westchester County and parts of Putnam County.