Can You Buy A Home Before Selling Your House in the Greater Sacramento Region?

By Nancy Adinolfe

Nancy Adinolfe is a top-producing RE/MAX real estate agent who has served California clients since 2018. A member of the RE/MAX Master Club, she provides expert guidance to buyers, sellers, and families throughout Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, and surrounding communities.

Can you really buy a home before selling your current one? It might feel impossible at first, especially if you need the money from your current home to move forward. The good news is, there are several ways to make it work with the right plan and guidance.

Here’s how.

Explore bridge loans, cash, and lender options. Buying a home before selling your current one offers a few paths. One option is a bridge loan, which helps cover the gap between buying and selling. These loans can be expensive, but they give you access to funds quickly.

Another option is using cash or working with private lenders through a hard-money loan. If you already have savings or access to funds, this can strengthen and expedite your offer.

Use contingencies to protect your move. Using contingencies means your purchase depends on selling your current home first. There are three levels of contingencies: first, the least desirable to sellers is when you don’t even have your home on the market yet.

Second, a stronger option is when your home is on the market but not under contract.

Third, the most desirable scenario is when your home is on the market and already under contract with a buyer, which gives sellers the most confidence that your deal will close.

Work with a lender. A lender can review your finances and show you the available options based on your situation. They can help you understand how much you can afford, what type of loan works best, and how to structure your purchase so you aren’t overextending yourself.

Understand market conditions. The real estate market plays a big role in whether buying before selling makes sense. In a seller’s market with low inventory, it can be harder to find a home and riskier to buy first.

On the other hand, in a buyer’s market, you may have more flexibility and better opportunities to purchase before selling. Factors such as mortgage rates, the number of buyers, and the number of available homes all influence your timing and strategy.

This is achievable with proper planning, suitable financing, and market awareness. If you are thinking about making this move and want to explore your options, you can call or text me at (530) 313-3158 or email me at nancy@listingexpert.net to talk through what makes the most sense for your situation.