From Sold to Sold: What It Really Looks Like to Buy and Sell at the Same Time

It probably doesn’t surprise you to hear that selling a home can be really stressful for people. Now add the pressure of needing to buy a home at the same time—especially over the past few years—and you’ve got yourself a whole new level of chaos.

If you’ve been in the market, you already know: pickings have been slim. So when a client says to me, “We want to sell our home, but we also need to find one... and we really don’t want to carry two mortgages,” and I reply with, “It’ll work out—we will find you a home you love before you have to move,” they usually look at me like I’ve sprouted horns.

But here’s the thing—it does work out. Time and time again. Call it faith, call it good timing, call it a little real estate magic... whatever it is, it happens.

There are a few paths we can take when navigating a buy-sell situation, and I wanted to share a recent story about a couple who had the luxury—and wisdom—of time on their side.

They first bought in 2020 after writing 14 (yes, 14!) offers. Fast forward a few years and three adorable babies later, and they were ready to find something with more space. We listed their home in early March and had it sold by the end of the month. But as excited as they were, they were nervous—understandably—about finding a new home quickly in such a tight market.

Instead of panicking or rushing into something that didn’t feel right, they made the smart move of lining up a temporary place to stay. Scary? Maybe. Strategic? Absolutely. That breathing room gave them the flexibility to take their time, trust the process, and make decisions from a place of confidence, not fear.

Let’s be honest—during the buyer-frenzied years of 2020–2022, a lot of people ended up in homes that didn’t really suit them. These clients had been there and done that. They were clear they didn’t want to settle again.

So they were patient. Thoughtful. Their needs evolved along the way. They brought their kids (and even their parents!) to showings. We wrote a few strong offers that didn’t pan out. Then one weekend, they texted to say they were heading to an open house (which I always encourage, by the way!). They fell in love with the home, and we put together a clean, solid offer that worked beautifully for them.

They got the land they’d always dreamed of—though it meant letting go of a different want. In the end, they found something even better than what they thought they were looking for. And I got the absolute joy of walking alongside them every step of the way as they weighed the pros and cons and opened themselves up to new possibilities.

I got a text from them today: “We love the house and the property.”

That’s what it’s all about. Helping people step into a new chapter—and seeing them truly happy in a place that feels like home. I’m so grateful I get to be part of that journey.