Illustration of a modern single-story home under a blue sky

Buy Before You Sell with HomeLight

Move into your next home first, then sell on your timeline.

Answer a few questions to see if you qualify — it only takes about 3 minutes!

Get started with Buy Before You Sell

Please fill out the form below and we'll reach out with additional information.

As seen in:

With Buy Before You Sell, you can:

  • Key icon

    Buy first, sell later

    Make an offer with no home sale contingency and win the home before your old one even hits the market.

  • Moving truck icon

    Move once

    Go straight from your old home into your new one. No rental, no storage unit, no second set of movers.

  • Receipt icon

    Qualify on the new payment alone

    Your old mortgage payment can be left out of your debt-to-income ratio.

  • Percent sign icon

    Use your equity at 0% interest

    Unlock equity up to 90% of CLTV for the down payment. Nothing is owed until your old home sells.

Common scenarios

See how Buy Before You Sell can help when you’re moving up, downsizing, relocating, or buying new construction.

  • Your down payment is tied up in your current home, so your offer depends on a contingency. Sellers with multiple offers usually pass on these so you pay more to win the home you want.

    HomeLight unlocks your equity, up to 90% of CLTV, before you make an offer, so you can remove the selling contingency. You buy and move first, then sell your current home.

Current home value
$650,000
Next home purchase
$800,000
Your net proceedsWithout HomeLightWith HomeLight
Home-sale proceeds¹$311,652$322,372
Down payment & closing costs²−$176,000−$176,000
Transition & moving costs−$6,600−$6,600
Net left after your move$129,052$139,772
$10,720 more left after your move

after program and moving costs

Example assumes a 5% higher sale price when sold vacant and professionally staged. Includes a 2.4% BBYS program fee, an estimated $700 inspection fee and $250 notary/recording fee. Actual results and fees vary.

¹ Home-sale proceeds include mortgage payoff, selling costs, preparation and staging, and the BBYS program fee. Transition costs include carrying your current home until it sells, temporary housing, storage, moving and any temporary financing charges.

² Purchase costs include your down payment and a 2% estimate for buyer closing costs, including prepaids and initial escrow deposits. These are counted once. Ongoing mortgage, property tax, insurance and HOA payments on the new home are excluded from this transaction comparison.

Illustrative examples, not a quote or a prediction. Net amounts exclude existing savings, income, everyday spending and any capital-gains tax. Financing and program eligibility are subject to approval. The building-new example assumes two months until completion and, with HomeLight, sale of the old home one month after moving. Construction delays may add costs; BBYS is not assumed to fund construction or builder deposits.

Staging research: NAR’s 2025 survey found that 19% of sellers’ agents reported offers 1–5% higher for staged homes. The 5% sale-price increase here is an assumption, not a measured BBYS result. Other paths may also allow staging. Read the NAR findings.

How it works

Three steps with HomeLight behind you at each one.

  1. Unlock your equity

    You enter your address and answer a few questions about your home and mortgage.

    HomeLight evaluates your home and confirms your Equity Unlock amount, up to 90% of CLTV, up to $2M.

  2. Buy your new home

    Make a strong offer with no home sale contingency, then close using your Equity Unlock as your down payment and move just once.

    HomeLight places a backup offer on your current home, so you can buy with confidence before you sell.

  3. Sell your old home

    You get time after closing to prep, stage, and list your home vacant with your agent, so you can take the best offer.

    HomeLight collects the Equity Unlock repayment and program fee from the proceeds at closing. The rest of your equity, including any upside, is yours.

See your estimated equity unlock now

Pre-qualifying is free, with no commitment.

Why HomeLight?

You keep your agent, your lender, and the full value of your home. You just get your equity sooner.

Family standing in front of their new home

Your equity

  • Check mark icon0% interest, no monthly payments on equity up to 90% of CLTV, up to $2M.
  • Check mark iconFull market value. You sell on the open market and keep the upside.
  • Check mark iconA backup offer on your current home, so you're never stuck with two.
Hand holding the keys to a new home

Your agent and lender

  • Check mark iconKeep your agent. They sell your home as usual and earn their full commission.
  • Check mark iconKeep your lender. HomeLight Buy Before You Sell works with any conventional mortgage.
  • Check mark iconProven nationwide. $760M+ unlocked, 28,000+ agents, 47 states.

What agents say about
Buy Before You Sell

  • $760M+Equity unlocked
  • 28K+Top real estate agents
  • 15K+Top loan officers
"My clients recently became parents and wanted to upgrade to a larger home. They needed the convenience of moving into their new home first. The client was able to transition smoothly, and my team maximized the selling price of their old home through repairs, staging, and selling it unoccupied.”
Max FolkersSan Diego, CA
"By enabling my client to move into their new home before selling their old one, we were able to make the necessary repairs and show the home in an empty and staged condition. We sold their home for $158,000 above the initial asking price.”
Brooke McCrearyLos Angeles, CA
"HomeLight's program alleviates the fear of not having a place to live after the sale of your home. It gives you the peace of mind of knowing that you can purchase a home before selling by using some of your equity in advance.”
Christine MarionBradenton, FL

Ready to buy before you sell?

See how much equity you can unlock. Pre-qualifying is free, with no commitment.

Get started — it only takes about 3 minutes!

FAQs

What is Buy Before You Sell?

How does 0% bridge loan work?

What does the program cost?

Does my old mortgage count against me when I qualify?

What if my old home doesn't sell?

Can I keep my own agent and lender?

Who is eligible?

Get started with Buy Before You Sell

Please fill out the form below and we'll reach out with additional information.