Buy first, or sell first? Your home conundrum answered
Buying and selling houses can be tricky, particularly if you are selling and buying a home at the same time. Should you buy a new property first, or sell your current home before purchasing a new one? It's an age-old conundrum.
We take a look at the pros and cons in the light of the current housing market, to help you make the right decision.
How to buy a new house in the current housing market
Talk to your agent to find out whether you are facing a buyers or seller’s market. In most property markets, selling your property before buying your next is most sensible.
Once you have released the equity from your current property, you can keep your eye out for a property you love and negotiate knowing how much money you have to spend.
However, putting the above aside, the process you choose will depend entirely on your circumstances.
Can I buy another house before I sell mine?
Technically, there’s absolutely nothing to stop you buying your next property first if you can afford it. Buying a new home before selling your current one does have a couple of advantages:
It means you don’t miss out if you fall in love with a particular property before you have sold your own.
It gives you more time to complete the move – you can take your time moving all your possessions, as there is nobody else waiting to move into your current home.
However, these elements tend to be outweighed by the advantages of selling your current home before you buy a new one:
1. You are more likely to achieve the best possible sale price
If you sell your current property first, you have time to make it look as attractive as possible so it will gain a higher sale price. You can also take time to consider offers and negotiate with buyers until you get the results you want.
If you have already bought a new property, you might feel time-pressured, as you could be paying two mortgages at once, or have a bridging loan. This could tempt you to sell your current property for less than it is worth for a quick sale.
2. You know exactly how much money you have to spend
Selling your current property first lets you know exactly what you can afford when it comes to purchasing a new property. It prevents you from getting into financial difficulties through overestimating the value of your current property, then not achieving the sale price you wanted.
3. It can save you time as well as money
If you buy a new property before you sell yours, you will not only have to pay two mortgages and two sets of bills, you will also be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of two properties. This can take up a considerable amount of your time when you should be settling into your new home.
4. Remember, you don't have to rush your move
Ideally, you need to find a new home as quickly as possible after selling your current one. However, it doesn’t mean you need to end up staying with relatives! You can always seek to extend the settlement period on your current property to give you more time to find a new property you love.
Find out more about how to buy a house while selling your own
One of the most important things to do when buying or selling a house is to find an experienced and reputable real estate agent who will be able to make the process as smooth as possible for you. If you would like more information about buying and selling houses or want to know how to build a house before selling yours, please contact us, and we will be happy to help.
