Should I Buy a Home Before Selling My Current One?
Buying before selling can simplify your move — if you've priced out what happens if the sale takes longer than expected.
By Jerry Hayes, NMLS# 2305577 · Reviewed 2026-09-01
What you're really deciding
Buying before selling isn't really a financing question first — it's a risk-tolerance question. You're deciding whether the convenience of not having to move twice is worth the financial exposure of potentially carrying two homes for a period of time.
Can you count on your current equity?
Until your current home actually sells and closes, its equity is an estimate, not cash in hand. Some financing approaches can factor in expected equity or use it as a bridge, but the details and requirements vary — this is worth a direct conversation about your specific numbers rather than assuming a generic approach applies.
Pricing out the carrying cost scenario
Before deciding, work out what it would cost per month to carry both homes, and how many months you could sustain that if your current home took longer than expected to sell. That worst-case number — not the best-case timeline — should drive your comfort level with this approach.
The tradeoffs
- Buying before selling avoids the stress of a double move and temporary housing, but adds financial risk if your current home takes longer to sell.
- Selling first removes that financial risk but may mean a rushed home search or temporary housing while you look.
This may not be the right fit when:
- If you don't have a realistic plan for carrying two payments for several months, buying before selling may not be the right approach even if it's more convenient.
Is this your situation?
Have a different question? Ask Jerry directly.