Selling your home before buying a new one has several advantages (and can be a smart financial move), including:

1. Knowing your budget: When you sell your current home first, you will know exactly how much money you have to put towards your new home. This can help you avoid overextending yourself financially and ensure that you buy a home that fits within your budget.

2. Avoiding the risk of carrying two mortgages: If you buy a new home before selling your old one, you may end up carrying two mortgages at once, which can be a significant financial burden.

3. Having more negotiating power: When you are a cash buyer, you may have more negotiating power when it comes to buying your new home. This is because sellers prefer cash buyers who can close quickly and don't have to worry about financing falling through.

4. Reducing stress: Selling your current home before buying a new one can help reduce the stress and uncertainty that comes with juggling two transactions at once. It can also give you more time to find the perfect new home without feeling rushed or pressured.

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Selling your home before finding your next home can also create logistical challenges. Here are some steps you can take to make the process smoother:

1. Determine your financial situation: Before you sell your home, it's important to understand your financial situation. This includes how much equity you have in your current home, how much money you need to buy your next home, and how much you can afford to spend on temporary housing if needed.

2. Prepare your home for sale: To sell your home quickly and at the best price, you should take the time to prepare it for sale. This may involve cleaning, decluttering, and making any necessary repairs or upgrades.

3. Work with a real estate agent: A good real estate agent can help you navigate the home selling process and provide valuable advice on pricing, marketing, and negotiating with buyers. They can also help you find temporary housing if needed.

4. Consider temporary housing options: If you sell your home before finding your next one, you may need to find temporary housing. This could include staying with friends or family, renting an apartment or house, or using a short-term rental service like Airbnb.

5. Be prepared to move quickly: When you sell your home, you may need to move out quickly to accommodate the buyer's timeline. This means having a plan in place for packing, moving, and storing your belongings if needed.

Overall, while there are some risks associated with selling your home before buying a new one, it can often be the best strategy for homeowners who want to minimize their risk; but it requires careful planning and preparation to ensure a smooth transition. Working with a qualified real estate agent can help you navigate the process and make the most of your home sale.

Information courtesy of Keller William Realty New England Region

If you are thinking about listing your home before the end of the year, then the team at Stowe Area Realty may have the EXTRA pluses to motivate you! In addition to our customer-centric, quality service, 100+ years of combined real estate expertise and powerful marketing strategies, we are now offering two incentives through December 2018.*

INCENTIVE 1 - PRE-INSPECTION

The home inspection is the most prominent hurdle to clear in a real estate transaction. Inspections are often where sales fall apart, leaving the sellers to pick up the pieces.

When a client contracts to list his or her home with Stowe Area Realty for one year at a Fair Market Value, Stowe Area Realty will pay for a pre-inspection. 

With a top-shelf pre-inspection sellers can:

• Find out the exact condition of the property.
• Be confident with an accurate price for the home.
• Get ahead of any issues by repairing them now, on their timetable.
• Minimize negotiations later.

At face value, this saves a homeowner/seller between $400 and $800, depending on square footage, but more importantly it’s a proactive step that puts the seller ahead of the curve with less stress down the road.

INCENTIVE 2 - WARRANTY

After a client lists his or her home with Stowe Area Realty, and the house successfully closes, Stowe Area Realty will purchase a one-year Home Warranty Plan from American Home Shield. (AHS® Home Warranty Plans cover many of the repair and replacement costs of more than 20 of a home's major appliances and system parts when they break down due to normal wear and tear.) 

How does that help a seller?

• Homes with warranties return a higher average sales price.
• Buyers prefer to buy a home with a warranty.
• Homes on the market with a warranty sell faster.

A real estate home warranty gives buyers and sellers the protection they need to walk away from the closing table confidently and ready for a new chapter in homeownership.

*Offer available to the first five client(s) to list his or her residential property for a one-year term before December 31, 2018. Client(s) will choose ONE incentive.