Find a New Home

Conversely, there are homeowners who are so focused on doing everything they can to sell their home for the highest price that they’ll avoid even thinking about finding their next home. While potentially getting more money for your home isn’t a downside, the true issue is where you’ll live after the sale. A rental that suits your household might not be immediately available, depending on your market. Or, you might not be able to find a short-term rental that works with your timeline for finding a new home. 

Consider Renting a Storage Unit

On the surface, it makes sense: Why go through the time and expense of moving your stuff to a storage unit, only to move it again to your new place? In this case, though, the time and money you save pale in comparison to the hassle. When you have to declutter for staging, begin prepping for your eventual move and still need your home to look presentable in the process, having a storage unit takes a lot of stress out of the equation. Just remember that it’s a temporary home for your stuff — make sure you’re taking a quick moment to organize items in boxes and label, label, label.  

Always Have a Plan B 

(and Plan C)

Even if you’ve devoted the right attention to both the sale and the search for your next place, the market is the wild card. You might be surprised with multiple offers within days of your listing hitting the market, a buyer who has all their paperwork in order, and a transaction that doesn’t hit any snags whatsoever. While that’s an ideal situation for most sellers, it’s one that will completely throw off your plans. If your realtor thinks that the market is hot enough to lead to such a scenario, you’ll want to have a list of short-term rentals, movers, and (if needed) self-storage facilities that offer larger units. 

Face Your Emotions

Once selling your home becomes a reality, you might experience strong emotions about your home. Even if you were excited to sell in the first place, seeing empty rooms, packing boxes and opening your house to visits by potential buyers can make you feel suddenly sentimental about leaving. It’s less about the home itself, but instead what it represents — the past. Don’t be afraid to speak up to your realtor if you start to feel pangs of regret or sadness. They’ve likely seen this happen in nearly every sale and can help shift your focus to your goals.

Keep Your Goals In Mind

From the moment you decided it was time to sell to the date of your first open house, the process of selling your home can occupy a lot of mental space. (It’s why some homeowners fall for the “Silicon Valley way” of selling their home, which can often be a mistake.) So when you get your first offer, it’s tempting to accept it to just be done with the whole thing. However, is the offer the right offer for your home? If this potential buyer one that’s actually ready to buy? You might want to hold out to see if a better offer is around the corner. While your realtor doesn’t have a crystal ball, they can give an honest opinion based on what they’ve observed in the market. 

In the end, buying and selling your home at the same time is like training for the Olympics — a successful outcome involves strategy and the right frame of mind. Consider your realtor your coach in this metaphor. They’ll keep you motivated, prepare you for what to expect, and offer support whenever you face a challenge. But unlike the Olympics, achieving your goal is basically a sure thing.