How to Sell Your House and Buy Another at the Same Time

Quick answer: Selling one home and buying another at the same time comes down to sequencing. You can sell first and rent back, buy first with a bridge loan or cash, or make your purchase contingent on your sale. Most move-up and downsizing sellers do this. NAR's 2025 profile found the typical seller is 64 years old and had lived in their home 11 years. About a third bought something larger and about a third bought something smaller.

Who is doing this

From NAR's 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers:

• The top reason for selling was to move closer to friends and family (26%), followed by a home that was too small (10%) or too large (10%).

• The typical seller moved only about 30 miles.

• 34% bought a larger home, 32% bought smaller and 32% bought about the same size.

Many of these sellers have a lot of equity and a low-rate mortgage. That makes the sequence of the two transactions matter.

Option 1: sell first, then buy

• Pros: you know exactly how much cash you have, and you buy with a stronger offer that isn't tied to your sale.

• Cons: you may need somewhere to live in between.

• Fixes: negotiate a rent-back (you stay after closing for a set period) or a later closing date with your buyer.

Option 2: buy first, then sell

• Pros: one move, and you can prepare the old home for market after it is empty.

• Cons: you carry two housing payments and need to qualify for both, or use cash.

• Tools: a bridge loan, a home equity line of credit opened before you list, or cash. Ask a lender early. Terms vary.

Option 3: buy with a home-sale contingency

• Pros: you can back out if your home doesn't sell.

• Cons: in a market where many homes get multiple offers, contingent offers are weaker. Redfin reported that about 56% of Connecticut homes sold above list in August 2026.

• Makes it work: having your home listed or under contract before you make offers.

A practical game plan

• Get your sale price and net proceeds first. Know what you'll clear after your payoff and selling costs.

• Get pre-approved for the next purchase, including whether you can carry both homes.

• Line up the dates. In Connecticut, attorneys can often coordinate a same-day sale and purchase.

• Check taxes if you have large gains. See capital gains when you sell your home.

Downsizing or moving to Florida?

We help sellers on both ends: listing in Connecticut and buying or selling in the Tampa Bay area. In Florida, Zack DeCaro is a licensed sales associate with Dalton Wade Real Estate Group. See the Tampa–St. Pete market.

Plan both moves in one conversation

Get a home value and a timeline that lines up your sale and purchase. Our listing-side fee is 1% plus $400 in Connecticut. See how the 1% program works.

Sources: NAR 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (highlights); Redfin Connecticut housing market data (August 2026). Financing options and terms vary by lender. All commissions and fees are negotiable and not set by law.