This is the question every move-up family asks, and right now the answer has shifted. With more inventory sitting on the market, buying first is a lot less risky than it was two years ago.
Why the old advice ("sell first, always") doesn't fully apply right now: In a fast market, buying first meant risking two mortgages. In today's slower, buyer-friendly market, homes are taking longer to sell — which also means your own home won't vanish the moment you list it.
Your options, ranked by risk:
- Bridge financing — short-term loan covering the gap between closings.
- Rent-back clause — sell first, rent your own home from the new buyer for a set period.
- Contingent offer — buy conditional on your current home selling (works best in slower markets like this one).
Bottom line: The order isn't one-size-fits-all anymore — it depends on your comfort with risk and your specific numbers.
FROM OUR BLOG
Why Do Realtors Keep Saying This Is a "Buyer-Friendly" Market? What Does That Mean for Me?
You've probably heard this phrase a lot lately. Here's what it actually translates to for a first-time buyer, in plain terms. What "buyer-friendly" really means: More homes to choose from, so less pressure to settle. More room to negotiate on price and conditions. Less risk of a bidding war pushing
Right-Sizing vs. Downsizing — Is There a Difference?
"Downsizing" can sound like giving something up. "Right-sizing" is often a better frame — matching your home to your actual life now, not the life you had when you bought it. What right-sizing can mean: Fewer stairs, easier maintenance — but a better kitchen or more natural light. A smaller footprin
Why Are Detached Homes in Family Neighbourhoods Holding Value Better Than Condos?
Not every part of the market is moving the same way. Condos and smaller units have taken the biggest price hits this year, while detached homes in established, family-oriented neighbourhoods are proving far more resilient. Why the gap exists: This demand isn't speculative — it's demographic. Millenn