How to Sell and Buy a Home at the Same Time in Fargo–Moorhead

by Tyler Lindell

Feel Stuck Between Two Homes? You’re Not Alone.

You’ve outgrown your current house—or you're ready to move to that dream neighborhood.
But the big question is: Do I sell first or buy first?
And how do I time it without being homeless or holding two mortgages?

If you’re a Fargo–Moorhead homeowner trying to move up, this guide lays out exactly how to buy and sell at the same time—without stress or financial landmines.

🧠 The 3 Options Fargo Move-Up Buyers Have

Strategy	Best For...	Risk Level
Sell First, Then Buy	Conservative planners	🟢 Low
Buy First, Then Sell	Strong finances, low inventory	🟡 Medium
Do Both Simultaneously	When timing is everything	🔴 Higher

We’ll break down how to execute each one, and help you choose the right fit for your timeline and finances.

🏠 Option 1: Sell First, Then Buy (Low Risk)

This is the safest way to go if you’re unsure about timing.

Pros:

You know exactly how much cash you’ll have for your next home.
No risk of carrying two mortgages.

Cons:

You may need temporary housing (which we can help arrange).
The market moves fast—you’ll need to be ready when the right home hits.

✅ Pro Tip: Use a rent-back agreement—close on your sale, then lease it back for 30–60 days while you shop. This is very rare in the area however.

🏠 Option 2: Buy First, Then Sell (More Aggressive)

This works best in low-inventory markets where homes are selling fast and you don’t want to miss out.

Financing Tools That Can Help:

Bridge Loans – Tap into your current home’s equity before it’s sold.
HELOCs – Similar, but often cheaper and more flexible.
Contingent Offers – We write the offer so your purchase depends on your home selling.

We’ll help you structure these offers so sellers still take you seriously.

🏠 Option 3: Buy and Sell at the Same Time (With a Game Plan)

This is where experience and negotiation matter most.
You’ll need:

A coordinated close date (same-day sale and purchase)
Contingency clauses that protect you
A responsive lender and title team
A local agent who handles the pressure (you’ve got that part covered 😉)

📞 Want a plan built around your current home + budget?

💡 Example Timeline (60 Days)

Week	Task
1	Meet with agent + lender
2	Prep and list your home
3–4	Showings + house shopping
5	Accept offer + write new offer
6–8	Inspections, appraisals, docs
9	Close both on same day ✅

🧰 What You’ll Need

A clean, ready-to-list home (we’ll help with staging)
Preapproval from a lender who can close fast
A pricing and prep strategy to sell in under 14 days
A responsive agent (hi 👋) who knows how to write contingent or bridge-financed offers that win

🤝 Why Working With a Dual-Sided Agent Matters

You can use two agents—one to sell, one to buy—but most people regret that fast.
When one agent handles both ends:

Communication is tight
Timing is easier
You have a single point of accountability

👋 We handle dual deals regularly, and know exactly how to keep the process from derailing.

🔁 Let’s Get You Moving—Without the Chaos

Moving up doesn’t need to mean losing sleep or rolling the dice.
You just need a smart timeline, the right tools, and a plan that flexes with the market.

📞 Want your free Move-Up Buyer Plan?