Trading Up in Erie: Two Moves, One Plan
Selling one home and buying the next, with the order worked out first.
The puzzle of buying and selling together
Trading up in Erie usually means doing two things at once: selling the home you own and buying the one you want. Most people need the money from the first to pay for the second, and that's where the stress comes from. Sell too early and you might have nowhere to go. Buy too early and you might carry two payments.
There's no single right way to do it. There are a few common ways, each with tradeoffs, and the right one depends on your finances and how much uncertainty you can live with. My job is to lay them out clearly so you can choose.
Get My Free Home Value
How I help you plan both moves
I'm Carol Vanlandingham, a REALTOR® with eXp Realty in Erie, Colorado. When you're buying and selling, you get one agent looking at both sides, so the two timelines are planned together.
We start with two numbers. The first is what your current home would likely sell for and what you'd walk away with, which I put together for you. The second is what you can spend on the next home, which comes from your lender. With both in hand, the options get much clearer.
Then we talk about what you want from the next home and why. More bedrooms, a home office, a different neighborhood, a bigger yard. I listen first, and I'll tell you if I think the move makes sense now or would be easier later.
The common ways to do it
These are the approaches I walk people through. Your lender will tell you which ones your finances allow.
- Sell first, then buy. You know exactly what you have to spend, and your offer is stronger. The tradeoff is you may need a short-term place to live.
- Buy first, then sell. You move once and can take your time. You'll need to qualify to carry both homes for a while, and a lender can tell you whether that's possible.
- Make your purchase depend on your sale. Your offer says you'll buy once your home sells. Some sellers accept this and some won't, depending on the market.
- Line up the two closings. With planning, both can close close together. Sometimes a seller stays in the home for a short time after closing, by agreement with the buyer.
For the selling side, see how I sell a home. For the buying side, see how I help you buy. This is general information and not lending or legal advice.
Trading up around Erie
Many people who trade up want to stay in the town they know and find a home that fits better. Erie has a wide range of homes, from older houses near the center of town to newer neighborhoods on both the Boulder County and Weld County sides. Read more on my Erie page, or see all the areas I serve.
A good first step is finding out what your current home is worth. Ask for a free home value report, or send me a note and we'll talk through your plan. You can also read my page on buying a home or visit the home page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I sell my home before I buy the next one?
It depends on your finances and comfort with risk. Selling first gives you certainty about your budget. Buying first lets you move once. We look at your numbers and talk with your lender before you choose.
Can I buy a new home if mine hasn't sold yet?
Sometimes. It depends on whether you qualify to carry both for a time, or whether a seller will accept an offer that depends on your sale. Your lender and I can tell you what's realistic.
Where do I start?
With two numbers: what your current home is worth and what a lender says you can spend. I can provide the first and introduce you to lenders for the second.
On video
Watch me walk through it
Google reviews
In my clients' words
5.0 from 28 reviews on Google
“Ever bought a house, sight unseen from 1500 miles away?? Well I have, and let me tell you it would never have been possible without the assistance of Carol! Her honesty, organization, communication, diligence and follow up made my relocation to Colorado seamless and smooth. Do not hesitate to have this woman in your corner!”
“Carol was absolutely amazing throughout our journey as first-time home buyers. She was organized, detailed, and thorough every step of the way. She consistently advocated for us, fought for our best interests, and made sure we got what we wanted. Her knowledge, communication, and dedication made the entire process feel smooth and less overwhelming. We are so grateful for her guidance and support. We highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”
“Carol helped us buy our forever home, and she did it with the perfect combination of professionalism and personalization. She took the time to get to know us and our preferences which allowed her to find the perfect home for us. Her careful strategy won us the first house we put an offer on! Once under contract, Carol remained proactive to ensure that everything went smoothly. She was polite and firm in all the ways that you would want your representation to be. Most importantly, it was obvious that she genuinely cares about her clients which made her even more reliable and trustworthy. Carol has earned her title of our realtor for life.”
Keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Homes by Carol?