07/14/2026
Can You Sell and Buy a Home at the Same Time? Absolutely!
Many homeowners believe they must sell their current home, move out, and then begin searching for their next home—but that is not always necessary. With the right preparation, we can coordinate both transactions so you can move from your current home directly into your next one.
What Is a Home-Sale Contingency?
A contingency is a condition written into your purchase contract that must be satisfied before the transaction is completed.
When your offer is contingent on the sale of your current home, you are telling the seller:
“I want to purchase your home, but I need my current home to sell so I can use the proceeds toward this purchase.”
There are two common versions:
A home-sale contingency gives you time to get your current home sold.
A home-close contingency is used when your current home is already under contract, but that transaction must successfully close before you purchase the next home.
How the Process Works
1. Determine your buying power
We start by speaking with your lender and estimating:
Your current home’s value
How much you still owe
Your expected equity after selling expenses
How much you can comfortably spend on the next home
Your lender will determine whether your new loan must be dependent upon the sale of your current property.
2. Prepare and list your current home
We price and prepare your home strategically so it has the best opportunity to sell quickly. You can begin looking at homes before yours sells, but your offer becomes much stronger once your home is listed—and even stronger once it is under contract.
3. Find your next home
Once you find the right property, we submit an offer explaining that your purchase is contingent upon the successful sale or closing of your current home.
The contract will include important deadlines, such as when your home must go under contract and when both transactions must close.
4. Complete both transactions together
While your current buyer completes their inspection, appraisal, financing and title work, we complete those same steps on your new home.
The lender, agents and title companies work together to coordinate the closing dates. Closing is the final stage when the documents are signed, the funds are distributed and ownership transfers.
Typically, your current home closes first. The proceeds from that sale can then be applied toward the down payment and closing costs on your new home. Closings may happen on the same day or within a carefully coordinated timeframe.
5. Move into your next home
Depending on the timing, we may negotiate options such as:
Same-day closings
A delayed possession date
Temporary occupancy after closing
A short seller rent-back
These options can help prevent you from having to move twice.
What Is a Kick-Out Clause?
A seller accepting a contingent offer may require a kick-out clause. This allows the seller to continue showing the home.
Should the seller receive another acceptable offer without a home-sale contingency, you may be given a specific amount of time to either:
Remove your contingency and prove you can still purchase the home, or
Release the property and cancel the contract according to its terms.
Every transaction is different, but with accurate pricing, strong financing and carefully coordinated deadlines, selling and buying at the same time can be a smooth process.
Thinking about moving up but need to sell first? Let’s create a plan before you start shopping.
Johnna Dean
1st Class Real Estate KC
Revelate Real Estate Group
📲 816-517-3103 | 816-919-0044
