Buy before you sell
Understand buy-before-you-sell options
Move-up buyers often need to purchase the next home before the current one closes. That creates overlap: two housing payments, possible bridge financing, and pressure for a non-contingent offer letter. Model the carrying cost with your own numbers before anyone asks you to commit.
Timeline checkpoints
- Estimate overlap months and dual payments in the bridge cost tool.
- Decide contingent vs non-contingent offer strategy with your agent.
- Obtain a pre-approval letter that matches the offer structure you plan to make.
- List or prepare the departure home — FSBO vs MLS is a separate decision on bestwaytofsbo.com.
- Close the purchase, then close the sale — or use bridge payoff at sale proceeds.
When you need a non-contingent offer letter
Sellers in competitive markets may reject offers contingent on your home selling. If that is your situation, start pre-approval with the bridge scenario you modeled so the letter matches the plan you can actually execute.
Tools and guides
- Bridge cost calculator
- Buy-before-you-sell timeline
- Retain vs sell section of the equity calculator
Frequently asked questions
- What is a non-contingent offer?
- It is a purchase offer that does not depend on selling your current home first. Sellers often prefer them; you need a financing plan for the overlap period.
- How do I estimate carrying two homes?
- Enter both mortgage payments and the months you expect overlap in the bridge cost calculator. Add bridge interest only if you enter a bridge loan amount and rate.
- Should I sell the old house myself?
- That is your call, and it is a separate decision from financing the purchase. However you sell, enter the months until the sale closes as overlap months in the bridge cost calculator so the plan covers them.