Your family has grown. The rooms feel smaller. The backyard isn’t quite big enough anymore. The home that was perfect five years ago is bursting at the seams today — and you know it’s time to move up. The only problem? You need to sell before you can buy, and the thought of coordinating both at once feels like juggling while riding a bicycle.

This is one of the most common challenges I help clients navigate — and with careful planning, the right timing, and a clear strategy, it is absolutely manageable.

First: Get Crystal Clear on Your Finances

Before anything else, you need a complete financial picture. How much equity do you have in your current home? What will you net after commission, closing costs, and any repairs? How does that figure translate into a down payment on your next home? And what does your lender say about your purchasing power given today’s rates?

These numbers drive every decision that follows. I work closely with my clients and their lenders to build a detailed picture before we ever list the current home or begin shopping for the next one.

The Sequence Question: Sell First or Buy First?

This is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer is: it depends on the market. In a strong seller’s market, you may be able to sell quickly, use a rent-back agreement to stay in your current home briefly while you shop, and then move into your new home with confidence. In a more balanced market, other strategies may make more sense.

Options to discuss with your agent include:

  • Contingent offers: Making your purchase contingent on the sale of your current home. Sellers may be less receptive in competitive markets, but it’s a viable tool in the right conditions.
  • Bridge loans: Short-term financing that lets you buy the new home before closing on the old one. Great for the right buyer, but there are qualification requirements and carrying costs to understand.
  • Rent-back agreements: Selling your home and negotiating the right to remain as a tenant for 30-60 days post-closing — giving you time to close on the new purchase.
  • Temporary housing: Selling, moving to a short-term rental, and then purchasing without the pressure of a simultaneous deadline.

There is no universally “right” strategy. The right one is the one that fits your financial situation, your family’s needs, and current market conditions — and that requires a conversation, not a formula.

Preparing Your Current Home for Sale

When you’re upsizing, your current home is your most important financial asset in the transaction. Maximizing what you net from that sale directly determines what you can afford next. I help my clients understand exactly which improvements will generate the best return, how to price strategically to attract strong buyers, and how to stage and present the home to sell quickly and at top value.

Shopping for Your Next Home with Clarity

Once the plan is in place, the fun begins. We define what “upsizing” actually means for your family — more bedrooms, a bigger yard, a different neighborhood, a dedicated home office, a larger kitchen. I help you prioritize what’s essential versus what’s simply nice to have, so that when you find the right home, you can move quickly and confidently.

Managing the Emotions Along the Way

Moving up is exciting — but selling the home where you brought your babies home, where your kids took their first steps, where you made a thousand memories, can be unexpectedly emotional. That’s okay. I’ve been there with many clients. I hold space for that reality while keeping us both focused on the wonderful chapter that’s waiting on the other side.

Thinking about upsizing?

Let’s start with a conversation about what your current home is worth and what your next home could look like. No pressure, no obligation — just a clear picture of your options.

Jennifer Haugebak • Phoenix Living at Real Broker • Anthem and the Greater Phoenix Metro Area