Bridge and overlap cost calculator
Enter both housing payments and the months you expect to carry two homes. Optionally add a bridge loan amount and rate to estimate interest — every figure is your input, not a market quote.
Result
The entered cash covers this overlap with at least one more month of carry left.
Your numbers work. See what you qualify for.
Have your numbers handy — here is a link to this exact scenario.
Link to this exact scenario:
Compare your overlap months
Keep the current plan above and enter up to two other durations, from 0 to 36 whole months. Leave a scenario blank until you have a duration to compare. Change shared payments, amount, APR, fee or cash in the original calculator.
Current and entered overlap scenarios
Only overlap months vary. Every scenario uses these same entered costs and cash reserves.
- Old home monthly payment
- 2200
- New home monthly payment
- 3100
- Bridge loan amount (0 if none)
- 100000
- Bridge APR (%)
- 9%
- Bridge origination fee
- 1000
- Cash set aside for the overlap
- 30000
| Amount or reading | Current scenario | Entered scenario A | Entered scenario B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overlap months | 3 | Not entered | Not entered |
| Monthly carry (both homes) | $5,300 | Not entered | Not entered |
| Total overlap payments | $15,900 | Not entered | Not entered |
| Bridge interest | $2,250 | Not entered | Not entered |
| Bridge origination fee | $1,000 | Not entered | Not entered |
| Total bridge & overlap cost | $19,150 | Not entered | Not entered |
| Cash left after the overlap | $10,850 | Not entered | Not entered |
| Original planning band | reads as workable | Not entered | Not entered |
The origination fee is added once in each scenario, including zero overlap months, as in the current model. Dollar amounts use the current result's rounded display; the saved URL retains validated inputs.
The one-month cushion is this site's planning band. Change the overlap and cash inputs to model your own scenario.
Save or copy this complete comparison: https://myequitytransition.com/buybeforeyousell/tools/bridge-cost?oldHomePayment=2200&newHomePayment=3100&overlapMonths=3&bridgeLoanAmount=100000&bridgeAprPct=9&bridgeOriginationFee=1000&cashReserves=30000
The original result, application link and saved worksheet use the current scenario. Use this comparison link to save or share every entered duration. If you send your numbers, the entered comparisons are included as context. To use another duration as current, change Overlap months in the original calculator and calculate again.
How to use this tool
This tool performs arithmetic on the values you enter. It does not quote a rate, determine eligibility, predict approval, or create an offer of credit.
Buy-before-you-sell overlap is the period when you may carry two housing payments. Enter the old-home payment, new-home payment, and the months you realistically expect both to continue. The tool reports total overlap carrying cost before any bridge interest.
If you enter a bridge loan amount and APR, the tool estimates interest for the overlap months plus any origination fee you type. Bridge products vary widely; this site does not list products or quote rates — only arithmetic on your inputs.
Monthly carry is the sum of both housing payments — the number that hits your bank account every month during overlap. Total overlap payments multiply that carry by the months you enter. Bridge interest and origination sit on top when you model a bridge line.
Non-contingent purchase offers often require a financing plan that survives scrutiny. Model the overlap here, then start pre-approval with this page’s link in hand so the letter matches a plan you can execute.
Some buyers use home equity or cash reserves instead of a bridge loan. Leave bridge amount at zero and compare overlap carrying cost alone. Others sell first and rent briefly — enter rent as the sell-side monthly housing cost in the retain-versus-sell section of the equity transition calculator.
Update the permalink when reality diverges from your first model. If overlap runs an extra month, change the months field and share the new URL with your agent before extending contingencies or drawing more on a bridge line.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a bridge loan?
- Not always. Some buyers use cash reserves or a larger down payment on the new home. This tool models overlap carrying cost if you enter bridge parameters.
- How do I get a non-contingent offer letter?
- Start pre-approval with the overlap plan you modeled so the letter matches financing you can execute.