Greater Houston · One move, two transactions
How to sell and buy a house at the same time in Houston
You can sell first, buy first, or coordinate both closings. The right sequence starts with the equity you need, the payments you can carry, and a backup place to stay. I’m Eddie Weir with REMAX Signature. I help you put both sides on one plan before you commit to either.
Should I sell first or buy first?
Start with your lender’s assessment and a sale net estimate. Equity is useful only when you can access it, and a signed sales contract is not the same as available cash.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Path | When it may fit | What to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Sell first | You need sale proceeds for the next purchase or want a firm budget. | Temporary housing, storage, a second move, or an agreed seller leaseback. Your next home may not be available when the sale closes. |
| Buy first | You qualify and have funds without relying on the current home’s closing. | Two housing payments, reserves, maintenance and a sale that could take longer or net less than expected. |
| Coordinate both | The purchase can depend on your sale, or you have enough flexibility to manage closely timed closings. | Written contingencies, title-company coordination and a backup if either transaction is delayed. Same-day closings do not guarantee same-day access to funds or keys. |
On a phone, swipe the table sideways. These are planning choices, not financing approvals.
How does a home sale contingency work in Texas?
The TREC Addendum for Sale of Other Property by Buyer, Form 10-6, can make the purchase depend on receiving proceeds from your current home by an agreed date. It also addresses what happens if the seller accepts another written offer and requires you to waive that contingency.
Waiving involves written notice and the agreed additional earnest money. If you waive and then cannot close solely because your sale proceeds did not arrive, the addendum places you in default. Review the dates and funding plan with your lender, agent and attorney before waiving.
Form checked October 1, 2026. The executed contract and addenda control your transaction. Ask your attorney about your situation.
What is a bridge loan, and when might it help?
Bridge financing is short-term borrowing intended to cover a gap between buying and selling. Availability, collateral, fees and repayment terms depend on the lender and property. It is one option to price, not a shortcut around underwriting.
- Ask what happens if your current home has not sold by the loan’s maturity date.
- Compare the total cost, including fees and overlapping payments, with temporary housing or a different closing sequence.
- Confirm how the bridge payment affects approval for the next mortgage and how much cash must remain in reserve.
Have your lender explain the actual proposed loan in writing. This page does not quote a loan product, rate or approval standard.
How does a leaseback work if I sell first?
A seller leaseback is a separate temporary occupancy agreement after closing. The TREC Seller’s Temporary Residential Lease, Form 15-7, is for no more than 90 days after the purchase closes. The Buyer’s Temporary Residential Lease, Form 16-7, addresses buyer occupancy for no more than 90 days before closing.
Neither arrangement is automatic. Agree on possession dates, rent, deposit, utilities, condition, access and the consequences of staying late. Ask the lender and insurance carrier whether the proposed occupancy works for their requirements. A longer or unusual arrangement needs appropriate legal advice.
Both form versions effective January 5, 2026; checked October 1, 2026. Ask your attorney about your situation.
What should my net sheet show before I list?
Work backward from the cash you need for the next home. A price estimate is not a payoff statement, and sale proceeds are not the same as taxable gain. Fill this out with current payoff figures, your listing agreement, title estimates and lender figures.
Eddie Weir · REMAX Signature
Sale-to-purchase cash worksheet
Property: Prepared on:
Planning estimates only. Replace each blank with a current figure and its source.
- Expected sale price
- Less mortgage and other lien payoffs, through estimated closing date
- Less brokerage compensation under your actual written agreements
- Less title, escrow, recording, HOA and other seller costs
- Less tax prorations, agreed concessions and repair credits
- Estimated proceeds at sale closing
- Less preparation, moving, storage and temporary housing paid separately
- Less any loan repayment, tax reserve or funds you intend to retain
- Sale cash available toward the next purchase
- Plus other verified purchase funds
- Less lender/title estimate of remaining cash to close on next home
- Cash remaining after both closings
Avoid double counting: confirm which costs are already included in the title estimate, whether deposit credits are included in remaining cash to close, and when sale funds become available. Seller escrow refunds may arrive later. Taxable gain is a separate calculation for your tax adviser.
Backup housing / source dates / questions:
Eddie Weir, REALTOR® · TREC #560899 · REMAX Signature, Broker #9003718
eddieweir.com · eddie@eddieweir.com · 346-321-4422 · Equal Housing Opportunity
Information About Brokerage Services · Consumer Protection Notice
Use your browser’s Print command to print or save the worksheet as a PDF. Blank lines are intentional; no sample fees or proceeds are implied. For the detailed cost categories, see seller closing costs and closing for buyers.
What does one timeline for both sides look like?
This illustrative 60–90-day plan shows dependencies. It is not a prediction of how quickly your home will sell or a promised closing schedule. Contract dates replace these planning ranges once an offer is accepted.
- Days 1–14: establish the limitsPrice the current home, estimate net proceeds, confirm financing and reserves, and choose sell-first, buy-first or a contingent path. Price temporary housing and storage.
- Days 15–35: prepare and launchComplete agreed preparation and marketing. Build the next-home search around commute, home features and the approved budget. Adjust this phase to actual showing and offer activity.
- Days 30–60: connect the two contractsOnce there is an acceptable sale contract, align the purchase, contingencies, inspection windows and lender/title work. Keep the backup plan available.
- Days 60–90: confirm money and possessionTrack financing and title conditions, complete walkthroughs, verify wiring instructions independently, and confirm when funds and keys will actually be released. Use only the occupancy dates agreed in writing.
What does Houston’s days-to-offer data tell us?
It provides context for the marketing portion of the move. It does not include all the time needed to close, and homes that did not close are outside this historical sample.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Closing-price band | Median days to offer | Records with days reported |
|---|---|---|
| Under $300,000 | 30 | 8,209 |
| $300,000–$399,999 | 30 | 5,813 |
| $400,000–$499,999 | 32.5 | 2,948 |
| $500,000–$699,999 | 29 | 2,735 |
| $700,000–$999,999 | 24 | 1,272 |
| $1 million and up | 18 | 1,164 |
Source: Houston Association of REALTORS® MLS via Repliers, board 147, residential and condo classes; Single Family Residence in Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Liberty, Waller, Chambers and Austin counties. Actual closings June 1–August 31, 2026; data captured September 24. Bands use closing price. Median days to offer uses recorded nonnegative daysOnMarket, including zero; missing values are excluded. New construction and resale are combined. These countywide medians do not predict your home’s result.
Moving up to a $500K+ home
Run the cash and payment plan for the actual address. Taxes, insurance, flood coverage, HOA dues, utilities and maintenance can change with the next property. Do not carry the current owner’s exemptions or insurance premium into your budget as if they were yours.
Test a lower sale net, a longer overlap and an unexpected repair. If that uses the reserves you need after moving, revisit the price range or sequence before writing an offer. The larger home should fit after closing, too.
