Deciding how to move when you own a house and need to sell it can feel overwhelming. Life transitions are complicated enough without juggling multiple mortgages, interest rates, and closing dates.
No matter why you’re moving, timing your sale and move is critical to your success. Picking the right closing type, understanding the housing market, and knowing what to prioritize when prepping your home for sale can make a big difference.
In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of how to time your move when selling a home and how using professional support — including trusted moving services — simplifies the process of this major life event.
Key Takeaways
- Selling and buying a home at the same time is possible, but it takes careful planning.
- Setting a clear timeline for your move allows you to stay on track and plan for potential issues.
- If possible, list your home for sale in spring and summer. These tend to be the best times to sell a house.
- Different types of closings make sense, depending on your schedule. Speak with your realtor and lender to understand the differences.
- Moving services can help reduce the stress of selling your home and moving to a new one, but the timeline is critical.
How Do You Sell a Home and Buy at the Same Time?
Balancing the sale of your current home while buying a new one can feel like walking a very expensive tightrope. Careful planning can make it manageable. The key is to align the two processes. Depending on your housing market, it’s easier said than done.
Many people opt to put in a contingent offer when buying their new home. A contingent offer ties the purchase of the new home with the sale of the old one. Others may sell their home first and use short-term rentals or a rent-back agreement to bridge the gap until their new home is ready.
Another option, although less recommended, is to use a bridge loan to secure money for a down payment and then pay that loan back with the proceeds from the sale of your home.
Each approach has pros and cons and depends on your financial situation and timeline. Ask your real estate agent and mortgage lender about which one makes the most sense for your needs.
Understand the Current Housing Market
Understanding your area’s real estate market is a critical first step before selling your home or searching for a new one. Market conditions, like whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market, can significantly affect your timeline and strategy.
In a seller’s market, you might sell quickly but face challenges finding a new home because of limited inventory. On the other hand, a buyer’s market could mean more purchasing options but a slower sales process.
Keep an eye on local demand, average time on the market, and pricing trends to make wise decisions and set realistic expectations for your move.
Set a Timeline for Your Move
Let’s assume you will sell your home before or during your house hunt, as most people do when planning how to move when you own a house. That means setting a timeline for your move.
This timeline needs to account for key milestones:
- Hiring a real estate agent.
- Preparing your home for sale.
- Scheduling showings.
- Coordinating your home purchase.
Start by figuring out your ideal moving date and work backward from there. Establish deadlines for decluttering, packing, and securing movers (if necessary).
Keep flexibility in mind. Unexpected delays can and often will pop up during the selling or buying process. A well-structured timeline allows for these hiccups while ensuring smooth coordination between selling your current home and transitioning to your new one.
Best Time of Year to List Your Home for Sale
The housing market is highly seasonal. Selling your old home strategically can make a big difference in planning your move. Spring and early summer are often the best times to sell, with high buyer demand and competitive offers. Moving during slower seasons like winter often means longer selling times or fewer offers.
Planning your move around these trends helps avoid delays or the need for temporary housing between homes. That said, no matter what time of year you move, consider working with a residential moving services provider to handle the logistics.
