Sell First or Buy First? Selling and Buying at the Same Time in Palm Beach County
By Brian Perry, Perry Home Solutions of Keller Williams Innovations. Updated Nov 6, 2026.
TL;DR: There is no single right order. Selling first protects your budget. Buying first protects your next home. Contingent offers, rent-backs, and bridge financing help close the gap. If you are leaving a Florida homestead, plan your dates around Save Our Homes portability so you keep your tax savings.
Key takeaways
- Sell first if you need the money from your sale to buy. Buy first if the right next home is hard to find.
- A rent-back or a contingent offer can let you move once instead of twice.
- Bridge loans and HELOCs can fund a purchase before you sell. Talk to a lender before you count on one.
- Florida lets you move your Save Our Homes benefit, up to $500,000, to a new Florida homestead if you apply on time.
- Budget for two sets of closing costs and a possible overlap month.
Start with your numbers. Get my free seller net sheet to see what you would walk away with, then plan your next purchase around it.
Should you sell your house first or buy first?
Sell first when your equity is your down payment, or you cannot carry two payments. You will know your exact budget. The risk is needing a place to land.
Buy first when you have found the home you want, or the kind of home you need rarely comes up. The risk is carrying two homes for a while.
How do contingent offers work when selling and buying at the same time?
A contingent offer makes your purchase depend on selling your current home. It protects you, but some sellers see it as weaker, especially with other offers on the table. It works best when your home is already listed or under contract.
Can a bridge loan or HELOC help you buy before you sell?
A bridge loan or home equity line of credit can let you use your equity before your home sells. Terms, costs, and who qualifies vary a lot. I am not a lender, so talk to one early and get the numbers in writing before you make an offer.
What is a rent-back?
In a rent-back, you sell your home but stay for a set time after closing, usually paying the buyer rent. You get cash in hand and time to close on your next home. Put the dates, rent, deposit, and move-out condition in writing.
How do you keep your Florida homestead savings when you move?
Florida's Save Our Homes rule limits how fast a homestead's assessed value can rise. Portability lets you move all or part of that savings, up to $500,000, to a new Florida homestead. You must set up the new homestead within three years of January 1 of the year you left the old one, not three years after the sale. File Form DR-501T with your homestead application (Form DR-501) by March 1.
If your new home is worth less than your old one, the amount that moves is proportional. File with the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser and ask them about your numbers.
Moving up or down in Palm Beach County: where people are looking
Many of my clients moving up want more land and no HOA. Buyers search for no-HOA homes in Boynton Beach and Lake Worth most. See my Boynton Beach community guide and my Lake Worth community guide. Downsizing? My guide to 55+ communities in Palm Beach County covers the options, and if you are selling in one, read what to expect when selling a home in a 55+ community. Ready to start looking? Visit my Palm Beach County home buyer page.
What does it cost to sell and buy at once?
-
Selling costs: commission, title, doc stamps on the deed (70 cents per $100 of price in Palm Beach County), and any repairs
-
Buying costs: lender fees, title, inspections, insurance
- Overlap costs: a second payment, storage, short-term rent, or moving twice
- Association fees and estoppel costs if either home is in an HOA or condo
A sample timeline
- Weeks 1 to 2: home value, lender pre-approval, and a plan for which comes first.
- Weeks 2 to 4: prep and list, and start touring.
- Under contract: line up the purchase, or a contingent offer, with your closing date.
- Closing: close both on the same day, or use a rent-back to bridge the gap.
- By March 1 of the next year: file for homestead and portability.
Single-family homes that closed in October 2026 had a median of 22 days on market in Boynton Beach, 26 in Delray Beach, 27 in Lake Worth and 38 in Greenacres. Greenacres had only 10 sales that month, so treat its number as a rough guide (Beaches MLS data, pulled Oct 31, 2026).
See your real numbers. Get my free seller net sheet. I will run it with you and map out which move comes first.
FAQ
Can I close on both homes the same day? Often, yes, with title and lenders coordinated. It takes planning and a backup plan.
Do I lose my homestead savings when I sell? Not if you qualify and apply for portability on time.
Is a contingent offer a bad idea? Not always. It depends on how competitive the home you want is.
Should I talk to a lender or an agent first? Both, early. The lender tells you what you can borrow. I can tell you what your home may sell for.
What is the hardest part of timing your move? Tell me in the comments or call me at 561-880-5696.