Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time

Buying your next home while selling the one you live in sounds neat and tidy. In reality? It’s a juggling act. Doable  but only if you understand the rules.

The Reality of an Offer “Subject to Sale of Buyer’s Home”

An offer “subject to selling your home” is a weak offer.

Sellers do accept them. But here’s the catch: The home does not come off the market.

The seller keeps showing the property, keeps taking calls, and keeps inviting better offers.

48 Hour or 24 Hour Clause

If another buyer shows up with a clean offer—or even an offer subject only to your deal collapsing—the seller can trigger the 48 hour or 24 hour clause.

• The seller gives you written notice (often 48 hours, sometimes 24)

• You must waive your condition of selling your home

• Your deal becomes firm
  OR

• You don’t waive → your deal dies → seller moves on

Being on the Market First Changes Everything

If your home is already listed, you’re in a far stronger position.

• You can say: “We’re actively listed and priced to sell.”

• You can negotiate longer timelines

• You look prepared, not hopeful

• Sellers are more patient with buyers who are already in motion

Even better: if you already have an offer—or strong interest—your leverage improves again.

Can You Negotiate the Clause Length? Yes.

Sellers usually want:

• 24-hour clause (tight market)

• 48-hour clause (more common)

But everything in real estate is negotiable.

You can ask for:

• 72 hours

• 5 days

• Even 7 days in the right situation

Whether you get it depends on:

• Market conditions

• How desirable the home is

• How strong your overall offer looks

• How well your Realtor presents your position

This is where experience actually matters—not theory.

Timing Is Everything

Buying and selling at the same time isn’t about luck. It’s about sequencing:

1. Prepare your current home first

2. List before you shop seriously

3. Know exactly what you can waive and when

4. Have financing, pricing, and timelines lined up

5. Use conditions strategically, not emotionally

When done right, it’s smooth. When done wrong, it’s stressful and expensive.

Buying subject to selling your home isn’t wrong—but it comes with strings, and sellers hold most of them.

The strongest move? Get your house on the market before you write that offer.

• Structure the conditions

• Negotiate the timelines

• Protect you from getting boxed into a bad decision under pressure

If you’re planning to buy and sell at the same time, get the strategy right before the offer goes in.

PS. As a Buyer and a Seller you are in a strong position to negotiate Real Estate Commissions with your Realtor.