Why Buying and Selling at the Same Time Is So Hard

Trying to line up a sale and a purchase on the same timeline is stressful because:

• You’re often forced to move twice (into temporary housing while waiting to close).
• You have to keep your house perfectly clean for showings while still living there.
• If timing falls apart, you risk owning two homes for longer than planned.
• Contingent offers (where your purchase depends on selling first) are weaker in negotiations.

It’s no wonder many families delay moving altogether.

How “Buy Before You Sell” Works

The concept is simple: instead of selling first, you unlock the equity in your current home and use it to buy your next one. Here’s what makes it possible:

• Equity access: A portion of your home’s equity is pulled out for the down payment on your new house.
• Income ratios simplified: Your current mortgage payment doesn’t count against your debt-to-income ratio for the new loan.
• Sell on your schedule: Once you’re moved into the new home, you list and sell your old one without the pressure of overlapping timelines.

It’s designed to make moving a one-step process instead of a balancing act.

Biggest Benefits for Homeowners

• No double move: Skip short-term rentals, storage units, and moving trucks twice.
• Stronger offers: Buy your new home without a sale contingency, making you more competitive.
• Less stress at home: You don’t have to live through endless showings, open houses, or negotiations while you’re still in the house.
• Flexibility: Once you’re settled in your new place, you can focus on preparing your old home to sell for top dollar.
• Convenience of selling a vacant home and not having to arrange showings around your schedule.

Who Qualifies

This program works best for homeowners who:

• Have equity in their current home to tap for a down payment.
• Want to avoid contingent offers in a competitive Raleigh market.
• Prefer the convenience of moving once without temporary housing.
• Want top dollar for their home, and wish to list it vacant or staged.

Each situation is unique, so the best way to know if you qualify is to talk it through with a lender who understands how to structure it.

Final Thoughts

Buying a new home before selling your current one might sound too good to be true, but it’s a real solution that helps Raleigh homeowners move with less stress and more confidence. By tapping your equity and adjusting how your income ratios are calculated, you can skip the juggling act and focus on the home that’s ahead of you—not the one you’re leaving behind.