Sell First vs Buy First
Two orders of operation. Very different risk.
There is no universally correct answer here — only the one that matches your reserves, your tolerance for disruption, and how rare your target home is.
Maximum leverage, minimum certainty about where you land.
Pros
- You negotiate as a cash-strong, non-contingent buyer.
- You know your exact proceeds before you commit.
- No double payment risk, ever.
- Sellers take your offer more seriously than a contingent one.
Cons
- You may need an interim rental or leaseback.
- Two moves instead of one.
- Pressure to choose a home inside a fixed window.
Typical timeline
Weeks 1–2
Prep, pricing and photography
Weeks 3–5
List, negotiate, go under contract
Weeks 6–9
Close and negotiate a 30-day leaseback
Weeks 9–14
Buy without a contingency
When this is the right call
Best when inventory in your target band is healthy and you can tolerate a short interim stay.