Read before you make a move.

The move-up sequence: sell first or buy first?

It is the first real decision in any move-up, and it shapes everything after it — your budget, your negotiating power and how much risk you carry.

Selling first gives you certainty. You know your exact equity, your offer carries no sale condition, and sellers take you seriously. The trade-off is timing: if you do not find the next home before closing, you need an interim plan.

Buying first removes that pressure. You secure the home you want and move once. The trade-off is financial: you may need bridge financing, and if your sale takes longer than expected, you carry two properties.

The right answer depends on three things: how much equity you hold, whether your lender will support a bridge, and how much uncertainty you can genuinely live with. Model both with real numbers before you commit to either.