LET’S NOT SUGAR COAT IT:
Selling and buying a house at the same time can be a royal pain at worst — and at best, it’s a bit of a
juggling act with some element of risk. However, it’s not an uncommon situation.
Evaluate the local housing market

The state of the real estate market in your area is often the biggest factor in timing your home purchase
and sale correctly. Knowing what kind of market you’re in is important whether you’re just moving across
town, or if you’re moving across the country. If you’re selling in one market and buying in another, you’ll
need to factor that into your timing. The length of time it takes to buy and sell can vary dramatically
depending on the local real estate scene.

What is a buyers market?

In a buyers market, there are more homes available than people looking to buy. In a buyers market,
you’ll likely have an easier time finding your new home than you will selling your old home. Sellers may
be willing to accept a contingent offer, which means you agree to purchase their home contingent on
selling yours first — more on that later.

What is a sellers market?

In a sellers market, there are more buyers in the marketplace than there are homes available. In a sellers
market, your current home will likely sell more quickly than you’ll be able to find a new home. Consider
asking your buyers to do a rent-back after closing to allow you time to find your new place.