What's riskier: Buying or Selling first in today's real estate market?

 One of the BIGGEST questions I get from clients who are ready for their next move:

Should we buy first or sell first? Let’s break it down.

The answer? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it totally depends on your situation. It also really depends on: What's happening with the market (and we all know things are changing weekly right now), the type of home you’re buying or selling—condo, detached, semi, townhome—and your neighbourhood.

Selling first can give you peace of mind, especially if you need the equity from your current place to fund your purchase. You’ll know exactly how much you have to work with.BUT—it also means you might feel pressure to find your next home quickly, or need temporary housing.

Buying first means you lock in your dream home when you find it—but you need to be confident your current home will sell in a reasonable amount of time. In some cases, this could put financial stress on you if your sale takes longer.

Both could come with a certain amount of risk, so another thing for us to discuss is your risk tolerance. 

Now, let’s talk about bridge financing—because this is something not everyone knows about. If you do choose to buy first, and your sale hasn’t closed yet, you might need bridge financing. This is short-term financing that ‘bridges the gap’ between when you take possession of your new home and when your old one closes. Basically, your lender gives you the funds you need to carry both for that short time.  You’d speak to your mortgage broker or bank to set this up—it’s usually only available if your sale is firm (meaning you’ve already sold your home and the deal is legally binding).  Not everyone needs bridge financing—many times we can coordinate your sale and purchase to close on the same day. But if you like a little breathing room, or you’re planning to do some renos before moving in, it’s good to know this option exists.

Here’s the most important part: a good real estate agent isn’t just there to unlock doors. My job is to guide you based on your needs, help you weigh the pros and cons, and make the whole process as smooth—and stress-free—as possible.

If you're thinking of buying and selling this year, and not sure which way to go, let’s chat. I’ll help you figure out the right game plan based on your lifestyle, goals, and finances—no pressure, just straight-up support.