Buying your next home should feel like a step forward, not a juggling act. Yet for many homeowners, the path means learning how to buy and sell a house at the same time, and that’s where the challenge begins. Between lining up buyers, negotiating offers, and planning the move, it can feel overwhelming. 

From financing hurdles to timing pressures, the process can be overwhelming without the right plan in place. Yet with the right strategy, you can transition smoothly, avoid costly mistakes, and even position yourself to come out ahead in a competitive market. This guide will walk you through proven approaches and local insights that make the process less stressful and far more rewarding.

How to Sell and Buy a House in Austin, TX at the Same Time?

The act of selling and buying at the same time can be difficult, especially for those who are new to this process. One thing you can take note of is that this type of transaction happens all the time. In a 2019 profile by the National Association of Realtors, 71% of repeat homebuyers owned their previous residences, which means that they were likely both buyers and sellers during the transaction.

Despite the challenging process of both buying and selling at the same time and to take some stress out of the process, there are some ways to make this transaction as smooth as possible. Discover some tips for selling and buying a home in Austin, TX, at the same time.

The Challenge of Double Transactions

Trying to buy and sell a house at the same time can feel like walking a tightrope. Every step matters, and the stakes are high. Soon enough, you’re juggling timelines, financing, agents, and hope, all while trying not to trip over one hurdle and fall into another. Managing this balancing act takes strategy and confidence in your plan.

When you’re preparing to sell your current home and purchase a new one simultaneously, every decision ripples outward. Timing, offers, and financial tools converge. These choices can swing the outcome dramatically in your favor or leave things precariously unsteady. One of the most important factors to plan for is a concurrent closing, where both transactions align seamlessly on the same day.

Challenges include:

• Juggling two closing dates that need to align exactly

• Financing one purchase while relying on proceeds from the sale of another

• Standing out in competitive markets where contingencies are often unwelcome

Over the next sections, we'll walk you through smart approaches that help you handle this complex process without losing your balance.

Option 1: Contingent Offers

Navigating a house sale and purchase simultaneously often starts with a contingent offer. It allows you to tie buying a new home to selling your current one, if your sale doesn’t go through, the purchase offer evaporates.

Contingent offers can ease the stress of needing two closing transactions at once. You gain financial protection and peace of mind. But there’s a catch: in a hot market, sellers often prefer offers without such conditions. This means your offer might get outbid by someone who doesn’t need to sell first.

• Enables you to move only if your home sells
• Reduces financial risk by linking two transactions
• Vulnerable to being rejected in multiple-offer scenarios
• Sellers may overlook it in favor of stronger, non-contingent offers

At the end of the day, this strategy can work, but only if your property sells quickly or you’re willing to compromise on how much flexibility you have.

Option 2: Bridge Loans & Financing Tricks

Bridge loans offer a creative financial workaround when timelines don’t align. This short-term loan allows you to tap into the equity of your current home to fund the purchase of your next one, even before your sale closes.

If your current home is worth $500,000 and you have 20% equity, some lenders may let you borrow up to 80% of that value. That cash gives you the power to make strong, non-contingent offers. Still, it’s costly and unsuited for long delays. Terms can stretch up to 12 months, but rates are higher and payments are often interest-only.

• Captures equity from your current home as cash in hand
• Helps you avoid contingent offers by enabling a cash-style purchase
• Fast access, but higher cost and short repayment window
• Interest-only structure can strain your budget

These loans are a great tool in the right scenario, especially when you expect to close the sale soon and need a competitive edge in bidding wars.

Option 3: Rent-Back Agreements

At times, closing dates for your sale and purchase won’t match up cleanly. In these cases, a rent-back agreement lets you stay in your current home for a few days or weeks after closing, paying rent to the new owner, while giving you time to move out and settle into your new home.

Rent-backs ease logistics and reduce pressure to coordinate two moves at once, especially in hot markets where homes sell fast. They aren’t always guaranteed, and terms need to be negotiated clearly, including who covers utilities, what’s considered “normal wear,” and how long the arrangement lasts.

• Allows you to remain in your sold home temporarily post-closing
• Helps bridge the move-in gap between two homes
• Must negotiate clear terms around rent, duration, and responsibilities
• Relies on buyer consent and willingness to host a temporary tenant

This option shines when you need flexibility without rushing your move. Just make sure all terms are covered in writing.

How Long Does it Take to Buy a House?

Beginning from where your loan starts processing, buying a home can take 30-45 days. According to the Ellie Mar Origination Insight Report, the average time to close a home purchase as of June 2021 is 51 days. The Closing process is a multistep process that can take time, but the communication between agents, buyers, sellers, and lenders is clear, the process saves both time and money.

What is the Worst-Case Scenario When Selling and Buying a Home at the Same Time?

In some instances, the worst-case scenario cannot be avoided, especially if you’re selling your home in a short period of time and don’t have anything suitable to purchase. If you find yourself in this situation, you have some other options available. One of these options is to rent a temporary place, such as a short-term lease. Renting a place during the process will allow you to search more comfortably and lessen the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Spyglass Select Move Program: Your Ultimate Game-Changer

This is where Spyglass Realty shines. The Spyglass Select Move Program offers a powerful advantage for clients looking to buy and sell a house at the same time, especially in competitive markets like Austin.

Instead of relying on a contingent offer, the program gives you access to cash that lets you make offers that stand out. You can compete with cash buyers and win, even if you don’t actually have liquidity, you just need equity in your current home.

The process works like this: Spyglass secures upfront funds so you can put down a strong cash offer on your next home. Once your current home sells, you use those proceeds to cover repayment. That allows you to avoid the uncertainty of contingent offers and negotiate confidently.

About the Spyglass Select Move Program:

• Provides upfront “cash” to create stronger offers

• Avoids or neutralizes the need for home sale contingencies

• Offers flexibility, no need for short escrow or financing delays

• Gives you an edge in multi-offer situations common in Austin

• Pay off the upfront loan when your current home closes

If you’d like to lean into this solution, your Spyglass Realty agent is ready to walk you through the steps and get you prepared fast. It’s the win-win path when the market is moving fast, and timing can make or break your bid.

Buy a home with the confidence of cash! Check out how the Spyglass Select Move Program works. For any questions and inquiries, click here to contact us and speak to a consultant to learn more!

Last Updated: August 29, 2025