Selling a Home in Kamloops While Buying Another: How to Time It Right

Selling your current home while buying another is a classic real estate juggling act—and in Kamloops, where demand can shift quickly, it pays to have a clear plan.

Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or relocating within the city, getting the timing right is crucial to avoiding double mortgage payments, rushed decisions, or missing out on your dream home. Here’s how to do it the smart way.

Should You Sell First or Buy First?

It Depends on Your Risk Tolerance and Market Conditions

The first decision is whether to list your current home before buying a new one—or vice versa. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s a breakdown:

Sell First:

• Safer financially—know exactly how much you have to spend
  
  
• Avoids the risk of owning two homes at once
  
  
• Easier to qualify for your next mortgage
  
  

Buy First:

• Ensures you find the perfect new place without pressure
  
  
• Helpful in a hot market where homes move quickly
  
  
• Could work if you have strong financing or backup options
  
  

Hybrid Option:

• Use a “subject to sale” clause in your purchase offer
  
  
• Arrange a bridge loan to cover the gap
  
  
• Negotiate longer possession dates to align both transactions
  
  

Talk to your real estate agent and mortgage broker to decide what’s realistic based on Kamloops’ current market conditions and your financial comfort zone.

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Bridge Financing: A Temporary Safety Net

When You Buy First, This Can Fill the Gap

If you buy a new home before your current one sells, a bridge loan can help you carry both properties temporarily. This short-term financing is typically available if:

• Your current home is already sold firm (with conditions removed)
  
  
• The sale closing date is after your new home’s possession date
  
  

Bridge loans come with fees and interest, so they should be a short-term solution—not a long-term strategy.

How to Coordinate Possession Dates

Timing is Everything

One of the biggest stressors when selling and buying at the same time is aligning possession dates. Here are some tips:

• Aim to close on your sale before your purchase
  
  
• Ask for flexibility in your new home’s possession date
  
  
• Include “rent-back” clauses in your sale, allowing you to stay briefly after closing
  
  
• Negotiate with the help of your agent to build buffer time between both transactions
  
  

A few extra days of overlap can make your move far less chaotic—especially if you’re juggling family schedules or work commitments.

Be Prepared for a Temporary Rental or Storage

Always Have a Backup Plan

Sometimes, despite best efforts, the dates don’t line up. It’s smart to plan for a possible gap between homes:

• Consider short-term rental options in Kamloops
  
  
• Book a storage unit for your belongings
  
  
• Arrange moving services with flexible dates
  
  
• Have a contingency fund to cover extra costs
  
  

If everything works out smoothly, great—but if not, you’ll be ready.

Why Working with an Experienced Agent Matters

Timing a Double Transaction is a Skill

An agent familiar with the Kamloops market can:

• Strategically time your listing to attract buyers
  
  
• Help negotiate dates that work on both ends
  
  
• Guide you through financing options and legal implications
  
  
• Provide a network of professionals (lenders, movers, lawyers)
  
  

Trying to go it alone—or working with someone inexperienced—can create stress and costly mistakes.

Final Thoughts: It’s All About Balance

Selling and buying a home at the same time in Kamloops is totally doable—with the right plan. By understanding your options, securing the right financing, and working with professionals who can guide you, you’ll be in a strong position to move confidently into your next chapter.

It may feel like a lot to coordinate, but with the right timing, you can transition from one home to the next without skipping a beat.