Move up in Colorado Springs
Buy first. Sell second. Move once.
When our home in The Farm came up, we couldn’t wait for our old one to sell. Here’s how we bought first, and how I help you get ready to do the same.
15 minutes · No obligation
I’ve done this
We bought before we sold
When the right home in The Farm came up, waiting wasn’t an option. Homes like it don’t come up often. Because we’d lined up our financing and our sale plan ahead of time, we could act when it mattered, and we moved once.
That’s what a Ready-to-Act plan is: the decisions made in advance, so a rare home is an opportunity instead of a scramble.
Three paths
Sell first, buy first, or coordinate both
Sell first
You sell, then buy with your equity in hand. The lowest financial risk, and your offer is strong with no sale contingency. The tradeoff: you may need a rent-back from your buyer or short-term housing, and you might move twice.
Buy first
You secure the new home, then sell. You move once, on your schedule, and can prepare your old home to sell at its best while it’s empty. The tradeoff: you’ll usually need bridge financing, a HELOC, or the income to carry two payments for a while.
Coordinate both
You make an offer contingent on your sale, or line up both closings for the same window. Less carrying cost, but contingent offers can be weaker when a home draws interest, and the timing needs a clear plan.
General information only, not financial advice. Talk with a licensed lender about your own situation.
Quick check
Signs buying first could work for you
- You have meaningful equity in your current home
- You’ve spoken with a lender about carrying two homes, even briefly
- Your current home is ready to sell soon after you move out
- The homes you want come up rarely, so waiting to sell first could mean missing one
- You’d rather move once than rent in between
If only one or two of these fit, selling first or coordinating may be better. That’s exactly what we’ll work out on the call.
The plan
Five steps, set up before you need them
- 01
Know your numbers
We look at what your current home could sell for, using recent elevateMLS sales, so you know your likely equity.
- 02
Talk with a lender early
You get your buy-first options priced by a licensed lender: bridge loan, HELOC, or a loan that counts both payments.
- 03
Prepare your current home
We decide what to fix, stage or leave, so it can list quickly once you’ve moved.
- 04
Watch for the right home
Your watch list covers the streets you’d move to, and I tell you when something worth seeing comes up.
- 05
Act, then sell
When it appears, you offer with confidence. Then we list your home on the timeline we already planned.
Optional
Want a lender introduction?
I can introduce you to a local lender who can price buy-first options for your situation. No obligation. Choose “Introduce me” in the form below.
FAQs
Common questions
What is a bridge loan?
A short-term loan that uses equity in your current home to help fund the down payment on your next one, paid off when your home sells. Costs and terms vary widely, so compare them with a licensed lender.
Can I use a HELOC for my down payment?
Often, yes. A home equity line of credit is set up on your current home, ideally before you list, since many lenders won’t open one on a home that’s for sale. Ask a lender how it affects what you qualify for.
Can I qualify for two mortgage payments?
Some buyers can, based on income and debt. Some lenders can also exclude the old payment if your home is under contract or has an executed lease. A lender will tell you which applies.
What is a contingent offer?
An offer that depends on your current home selling. It protects you from owning two homes, but sellers may favor offers without one. In some cases a contingency with a short deadline or a home already under contract makes it more competitive.
What’s a rent-back?
When you sell, your buyer lets you stay in the home for a set period after closing. It can give you time to close on your next home and move once. It’s negotiated in the contract.
Should I prepare my home before or after I buy?
Usually start before. Small repairs and decluttering done early mean your home can list soon after you move out, which shortens the time you carry two homes.
Is this financial advice?
No. I’ll explain how each path works and help you plan the real estate side. Your lender, and a tax or legal advisor if needed, should advise on financing and taxes.