It’s generally a pretty exciting time when you’re buying a new home. It’s full of promise, anticipation, and decorating ideas. Selling a home is good, too, because it means you’re moving on to something different. When you’re buying and selling homes simultaneously, though, you have a much more serious transaction on your hands. You have to be careful, and there is more potential for something to go wrong. While you can’t guarantee that careful planning will mean a smooth deal, there are several ways to make things easier. Here are eight mistakes you’ll want to avoid.
1) Moving on the Same Day
It seems like a great idea to pack up in the morning, go to closing (on both houses), and then have the movers take your stuff to the new house, but that’s a very difficult thing to do, logistically. Even if your new home is just right down the street, plan on a couple of nights in a motel or at a friend’s house, and a way to store your stuff. Delays happen, and you want to be ready for them.
2) Agreeing to Too Much Just to Get the Deal Done
Don’t say yes to something at the last minute, just to close the deal. Make sure you’re okay with what you’re agreeing to, and that you’re not getting taken advantage of just because you want to sign on the dotted line and move on. Sometimes buyers or sellers will come back with a change at the last minute, because they assume you’ll agree. The mortgage company may also do that. Just say no, at least until you’ve thought it over. Yes, it may delay your closing, but you don’t want to make an expensive financial mistake.
3) Assuming There Won’t be Any Problems
Never assume that things will go completely smoothly, especially when you’re buying and selling houses at the same time. There can always be problems, big or small, right up until everything is signed and recorded on both houses. Keep that in mind, and you’ll be better prepared when something glitches and holds up the process. The more you realize that it might not be a completely smooth process, the more you’ll be ready when something changes and you have to adjust to it to keep things moving forward. With persistence, you can get the transaction completed and keep it from falling through in the majority of cases.
4) Not Having a Backup Plan
Backup plans are essential. If your closing gets delayed and you can’t get into your new home as planned, where will you stay? What will you do with the moving truck full of your things? What is something falls through altogether, right at the very last minute? While that’s rare – and frightening to think about – you really should know what you would do just in case. Have a Plan B, and be prepared to actually use it if necessary. Most transactions close without a problem, but you still need to be prepared, for peace of mind if for no other reason.
5) Buying Big-Ticket Things Before Closing
You may need some furniture for that new house, but don’t go out and buy it while you’re waiting for closing, unless you’re paying cash. While you might plan to pay off your credit card bills from the proceeds of the house you sell, that sale hasn’t gone through yet. You don’t want to add to your debt levels, because that could mean your mortgage on the house you’re buying will no longer go through. Wait, so you don’t have to worry about qualifying and something doesn’t go wrong at the last minute.
6) Assuming the Deal is Done Before It’s Done
Once you’re under contract on both places and things are moving forward, you may assume that it’s a done deal. That could come back around to cause you a problem, though, if you’re not careful. Nothing is done until everything is signed at the closing table and recorded by the county. Then it’s official. Until then, it can still fall through. It’s not fun to think about, but deals have fallen apart at the closing table before. There’s nothing wrong with planning and cautious optimism, but it’s important to remember that it’s not yet final, so you don’t get ahead of yourself or make a costly mistake.
7) Not Having a Bridge Loan in Place
A bridge loan is designed to help you pay both mortgages while you sell your old house. Even though you’re planning to sell and buy at the same time, if the sale of your current home falls through at the last minute you may no longer qualify for the mortgage on your new house. By working with your lender to have a bridge loan ready, assuming you qualify, you can make sure that the closing on your new home can still be completed, even if the sale of your current home doesn’t work out.
8) Not Performing Due Diligence Because of Your Location
If you’re buying a home in another state, make sure you know what you’re getting into. Some people buy homes sight unseen. There’s nothing wrong with that, necessarily, as long as you do your due diligence. Know the area, and get a good home inspection. Find out what you need to know before you buy the house. It may cost a little more that way, but it’s well worth the time and effort. The more you know about the house you’re buying, the more you can be sure it’s the right house for you, and that you’re paying a fair price for what you’re getting.
