Unless you’re moving from a rental, a family member’s home, or a property you intend to rent out (or use as a second home), you’re likely in a position where you have to sell your home and buy a new home at the same time. It’s a prospect that can feel daunting for even those who have done this before. After all, it can seem like a “chicken or the egg” scenario: Do you focus on the sale so you know how much money you’ll get, or do you focus on finding a new home so you’ll have a place to live lined up once your home sells?
While the answers depend on many factors unique to you and your home, [WE / I] have seen it all when it comes to this situation. Here are the ten things you'll want to keep in mind when you’re a buyer and seller at the same time.
Focus on the Home You're Selling First
Once you've made the decision to sell your home, it's tempting to jump to the next step. For one, a new home represents a fresh beginning. Searching for a new home also eases the anxiety that comes with the uncertainty of selling your current place. The problem? If you're not devoting the same care and attention to the sale, you might not do the things you need to do to get the most money for your home or to sell it on the timeline you'd like. Half- hearted decluttering (a must for staging), procrastinating on the repairs your realtor suggests and other missteps that happen when your heart is in the new home search can cost you in the long run.
