I have to move in a few months. Should I sell my house now?
Work backward from the date you need to move. Review the home's likely sale timeline, carrying costs, equity and whether you need the sale proceeds for your next home before choosing when to list.
Plan the move and the real estate transaction together
Write out the move date, the date housing is needed in the new area, and the earliest realistic date the current home could be ready to list. Then identify whether money from the current sale is needed for the next purchase. Those dates and cash requirements determine whether selling first, buying first, arranging a coordinated closing, or using temporary housing is realistic.
Understand the order of the transactions
Selling first gives a clearer amount of available cash but may create a gap between homes. Buying first can reduce moving pressure but may require qualifying while carrying both properties. A coordinated closing can work, although one delay may affect both transactions. Review contingency, bridge-financing, and temporary-housing options before committing to a sequence.
Build a realistic purchase timeline
Preapproval and document collection can begin before the move. The property search, inspections, appraisal, underwriting, insurance, title work, and closing still require time and can be delayed. Avoid making an offer that depends on an impossible move date; identify backup housing and confirm which parts of the process can be completed remotely.