Washington State | Strategies to Avoid Being Homeless or Paying Double During a Simultaneous Move

his is the #1 fear I hear from clients buying and selling at the same time: “What if we sell our home and have nowhere to go?” or “What if we buy but can’t sell in time?”

The good news? There are several smart, proven strategies to help protect you—financially and emotionally—during a dual move.

Here Are the Tools We Can Use:

1. Home Sale Contingency

This clause allows you to buy your next home only if your current home sells. It gives you a safety net, especially in a balanced or slower market. While not always accepted in ultra-competitive markets, I know how to write strong, clean offers that still include this protection.

2. Rent-Back Agreement

You sell your current home and then stay in it for 30–60 days after closing as a renter. This gives you the proceeds from your sale before your next home closes—and avoids moving twice.

3. Bridge Loan or HELOC

If you have enough equity, these financial tools allow you to “bridge the gap” and access your funds before the sale closes. That way, you can buy first, then repay the loan when your current home sells.

4. Extended Closings

On both the buy and sell side, I can negotiate longer closing periods—giving you more time to line everything up.

5. Temporary Housing Plan

As a backup, we can discuss furnished short-term rentals, family stays, or corporate housing in case there’s a gap. Many clients never need it, but it’s comforting to have a Plan B.

With the right mix of these strategies, you can avoid double housing costs—or the stress of being in limbo.