Sell and buy · From List to Sold
Selling Your Home and Buying the Next One
Selling one home and buying another means two contracts, two sets of deadlines and one move to get right. Here are the main ways to sequence them, the questions about money and timing to settle early, and how we help you plan both sides.
400+ home sales with buyers and sellers across Southern California · Brokers Michael & Anita Marchena · My Key Real Estate
On this page: Three ways to do it · Contingent offers · Equity & money · Timing & housing · Prepare early · Plan your next move
Your options
Three ways to sequence a sale and a purchase
There’s no single right order. The best choice depends on your equity, your financing, how quickly homes are selling and how much flexibility you have on moving dates.
Sell first
How it works: you sell your current home, then buy the next one.
- You know your sale price and proceeds before you commit to a purchase
- Your next offer doesn’t depend on selling a home
Trade-off: you may need temporary housing, or a rent-back, which lets you stay after closing if the buyer agrees in writing.
Buy first
How it works: you buy the next home, then sell the current one.
- You move once, on your schedule
- You can prepare and show the old home empty
Trade-off: you may carry two housing payments for a while, and you’ll need to qualify for the new loan with your current home still owned, or use other financing. Ask your lender what’s possible for you.
Coordinate both closings
How it works: you aim to close the sale and the purchase close together, sometimes on the same day.
- Your sale proceeds can go toward the purchase
- You may avoid paying for two homes
Trade-off: a delay on one side can affect the other, so the contracts, deadlines and backup plans need to line up. Same-day closings are possible but never guaranteed.
Contingent offers
Making an offer that depends on selling your home
A home-sale contingency makes your purchase depend on selling your current home by a set date. It protects you from owning two homes, but sellers may see it as a weaker offer, especially when other buyers are competing. Some sellers accept these offers only with terms that let them keep marketing and ask you to remove the contingency or cancel if another offer comes in.
Whether a seller will accept a contingent offer depends on the seller and the market at the time. Having your current home prepared, priced and listed, or already in escrow, usually makes a contingent offer more credible.
This is general information, not legal advice. The exact terms depend on the contract forms used.
Equity and money
When your equity becomes available, and what to ask your lender
Estimate your net proceeds
Before you plan the purchase, estimate what you’ll walk away with after your loan payoff, selling costs, any liens and credits. We’ll prepare an estimated net sheet for your home.
Know when the money arrives
Your proceeds are usually available after your sale closes and escrow disburses funds. That’s why the order of the two closings matters.
Talk to a lender early
Ask how your current home affects the new loan, how much you’ll need for the down payment, and whether any option to use equity before your sale fits your situation. Availability and terms vary.
We don’t give lending or tax advice. Ask your lender about financing, and your tax professional about any tax questions on the sale.
Timing and housing
Plan for the in-between, and the move itself
If there's a gap
- A rent-back after your sale, if the buyer agrees
- A short-term rental near your next area
- Storage for furniture you won’t need right away
- Building a little extra time into school and work plans
Moving logistics
- Book movers once both closing dates are set, with a backup date
- Line up possession dates in both contracts
- Schedule utility shutoff and start dates for both homes
- Plan the key handoff and change of address
Prepare early
Get both sides ready before you list
Before you list your home
- Get a pricing recommendation based on the sales that truly compare
- Decide which repairs and preparation are worth doing
- Gather disclosures, permits, HOA and solar or loan payoff details
- Agree on the timing you need from a buyer
Planning your next purchase
- Talk with a lender early about preapproval and your down payment
- Narrow your areas and must-haves
- Start watching listings so you know what your budget buys
- Review a written buyer agreement before touring
How we help
One team watching both timelines
When we represent you on both your sale and your purchase, we can plan the two together: list pricing and timing that support your next offer, purchase terms that fit your sale, and one calendar of deadlines for both escrows. You’ll always know where each side stands and what decision is coming next.
We can’t promise that both closings will line up perfectly, that a seller will accept a contingent offer, or that financing will be approved. We can help you see the options early and choose the one that fits.
Michael & Anita Marchena
Real estate brokers · Marchena Home Team at My Key Real Estate
Who you'll work with
400+ Homes Sold with Buyers and Sellers
Michael and Anita Marchena have helped buyers and sellers with more than 400 home sales across Southern California. They are real estate brokers and lead Marchena Home Team at My Key Real Estate.
See selected results, including a client we represented when they bought a home and again when they sold it.
From clients who sold and bought
“We had the BEST experience working with them. They truly work very hard for their clients and our dedicated to giving you a satisfaction with your realtor needs. We sold and bought a new home with this amazing team and are so grateful we used them to get in our dream home. It was a smooth process thanks to their professionalism and dedication to us as clients. Thank YOU Michael and Anita Marchena for being so awesome! We are thankful to call you good friends as well.”
Nannette D · Facebook review · sold and bought
Review quoted as posted on Facebook. Individual experiences vary.
Sell and buy
Plan your next move
Tell us about the home you’re selling and where you’d like to go next. Michael or Anita will follow up to talk through timing, options and next steps for both sides.
From List to Sold by Marchena Home Team at My Key Real Estate.
Tell us about both moves
Michael or Anita will contact you by phone, text or email.