Steps To Sell A House And Buy A New One May 2026

Before listing your current home, determine your "net proceeds." Calculate your home’s current market value minus your remaining mortgage balance, closing costs (typically 6-10%), and any necessary repairs. This figure dictates your budget for the next house. Simultaneously, get for a new mortgage to confirm what you can afford in the current interest rate environment. 2. Prepare the Sale

As you begin touring new homes, you face a strategic choice. In a "buyer's market," you might submit an offer on the sale of your current home. This protects you from owning two houses but makes your offer less attractive to sellers. In a "seller’s market," you may need to sell first and move into a short-term rental to make your offer on the new home more competitive. 4. Negotiating the "Rent-Back" steps to sell a house and buy a new one

Selling and buying a home simultaneously is often described as "performing surgery while running a marathon." It requires precise timing, financial coordination, and a clear strategy to ensure you aren't left with two mortgages—or nowhere to sleep. Here is the step-by-step roadmap to navigating this transition. 1. The Financial Audit Before listing your current home, determine your "net

If you find a buyer for your current home quickly, try to negotiate a . This allows you to stay in your sold home for 30 to 60 days after closing, giving you the liquid cash from the sale to use for your new purchase without the pressure of an immediate move-out. 5. Managing the Dual Closing This protects you from owning two houses but

First impressions are everything. Declutter, depersonalize, and tackle "low-hanging fruit" repairs like leaky faucets or chipped paint. Hiring a professional stager or photographer is often worth the investment, as most buyers decide whether to visit a home based on online photos. Once the house is "show-ready," list it on the market with a competitive pricing strategy. 3. The Search and the "Contingency"