Avoid These Mistakes When Buying and Selling at the Same Time

By
Real Estate Agent with Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, TREC #0492321

Many people find themselves buying and selling a home at the same time but knowing that it is a common occurrence doesn’t make it any easier. While buying and selling at the same time can be stressful, avoiding these mistakes can ease the process.

Don’t wait too long to get your home ready to sell. As a seller you don’t want to wait until you’ve submitted an offer on a new home to get yours market ready. Waiting too long can put you in the financial bind of winding up with two mortgages. Work with your REALTOR® to prep your home for sale, so that when the timing is right you can buy and sell seamlessly. Contingency to sell another home is often best when you have your home already under contract. 

Don’t assume your closing timelines will align perfectly. When buying and selling at the same time it can be difficult to get all of your closing dates to match up. Make sure you have a backup plan if you need to move out of your house to close but can’t move to your new place yet. Line up an alternative plan if you need to get into a short-term rental or a hotel. Also, make sure you budget for that possibility.

Don’t assume your home will sell for exactly what you need for your down payment. Make sure that when pricing your home, you leave yourself a little wiggle room, you don’t want to end up in a situation where you have to take a lower offer and it ruins your down payment plan. Talk with your REALTOR® and make sure your listing price leaves you with options, in case your home doesn’t sell for what you need.

Don’t forget to compromise. Remember that you may not be the only one in a transaction who is buying and selling at the same time. Don’t let the sale fall apart because you refuse to make any concessions. Remember that issues often arise and that compromising can go a long way in completing your transaction.

Don’t assume that using separate agents for your transactions will make the process easier. Balancing the demands of buying and selling at the same time can become even more difficult if you choose to use more than one agent. Interview REALTORS®, find one who you know can handle both transactions and let them make the transaction as simple as possible. By working with one agent for both transaction they can oversee both transactions simultaneously and make sure the transition is a smooth as possible.

For more information on buying, selling, or leasing your home visit Homes For Sale in San Antonio or use a local San Antonio REALTOR®.

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Comments (23)

Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Jerry Newman ,

What an appropriate post as the spring market is heating up and many sellers are concerned about this stair step process of buying and selling at the same time. Your points about not making assumptions are spot on!

Mar 23, 2023 05:45 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Jerry Newman - this is truly a great post. I can really appreciate it and I feel confident prospective buyers and sellers will too!

I wish you prosperty, good health, and much happiness to you and your family. 

Mar 23, 2023 08:44 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Jerry awesome advice, ironically I am about to close on a home and the buyers will not be able to move into it for at least 60 plus days because the owners need to stay in the home.... so with that said it puts a damper on getting the buyer's home ready to sell, Endre

Mar 23, 2023 10:28 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Excellent advice, Jerry. Right now I'm working with five clients who are balancing the sell and buy equation.

Mar 24, 2023 05:33 AM
Brian England
Arizona Focus Realty - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

When people hire a trustworthy agent, the likelihood of mistakes being made goes way down, haha.

Mar 24, 2023 05:45 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Jerry, great tips for potential buyers and sellers, and if you are contingent, start getting the house ready now!

Mar 24, 2023 05:55 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Jerry - buying or selling a home is not as simple as some may think.  Combining those two activities together simultaneously does not make the process any easier.  Planning and coordination can definitely help but Murphy's Law must be kept in mind.  

Mar 24, 2023 07:41 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Yes, Dorie Dillard Austin TX So true about things heating up for this spring. I know many will be selling and buying at the same time. They certainly don't want to make the wrong assumptions. 

Mar 24, 2023 07:44 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Thanks so much Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP for your blessings of good health and prosperity. I thought many could use this important information about buying and selling at the same time. 

Mar 24, 2023 07:47 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

Hello Jerry Newman - you made a great decision! It was very good!!!

Mar 24, 2023 08:47 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hello Endre Barath, Jr. I completely understand your situation with your clients. 60 days is along time to wait, but apparently those sellers have a valid reason for staying that long in their home. Best wishes with completing your transactions with your clients. 

Mar 24, 2023 07:49 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hello Nina Hollander, Broker You are one busy lady working with that many clients who need to both sell and buy a home. Best wishes on all your transactions with them.

Mar 24, 2023 07:51 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Jerry Newman hi Jerry... lack of inventory at my end is making the process very slow!

Mar 24, 2023 09:43 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

So True, Brian England REALTORS can bring the stress levels and frustrations down to a tolerable level. 

Mar 24, 2023 07:52 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Yes, Joan Cox If one has a contingency, they need to start preparing early. Sellers in a hot market may not have the same concerns as those in a balanced or buyer's market. 

Mar 24, 2023 07:54 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Yes, Michael Jacobs My hardest challenge was closing both buying and selling on the same day. We were able to successfully get them moved out and into their new home without any difficulties. 

Mar 24, 2023 07:58 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is very good advice to share. It is good to be prepared for the unexpected.

Have a great afternoon and an outstanding weekend.

Mar 24, 2023 11:40 AM
Fred Carver Personal Real Estate Corporation
RE/MAX Camosun Victoria BC Real Estate - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Jerry,

Great Advice, Consumers are not in our day to day business and need our advice and help with Buying and Selling their next home...Almost all home buyers search for their next home first.We Realtors all know by the time their home sells the home the they like is sold, so unless they can buy(make and offer subject to selling their home or make a cash unconditional offer to purchase ) Consumers can easily set themselves up for disappointment.

Long time no see Jerry have a fun and successful week 

Mar 27, 2023 05:27 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

The sellers are building another home and that is where the delay is Jerry, good observation, Endre

Mar 27, 2023 10:05 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hello Fred Carver Personal Real Estate Corporation I am glad to be back in the Rain posting again. I took a little break awhile back. You have made a nice observation about buying and selling at the same time. Wishing you the BEST!

Mar 28, 2023 08:17 AM
Charles Ross - (785)-819-6944
eXp Realty LLC Salina Group - Salina, KS
Love To Help People

Excellent Information. Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day and a blessed week. 

Apr 04, 2023 04:26 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Thanks, Charles Ross - (785)-819-6944 Wishing you a successful week too!

Apr 04, 2023 10:15 AM