Shabby Chic Boho Some people have a dream home in their head, but others have a real one. Like, it’s a specific house, on a specific street, maybe even on the other side of town. It’s the one that gets glanced at when driving by, the one with the perfect porch, the big windows, the yard that looks peaceful without trying too hard. Like, you’re not even house hunting or anything here, you just see it, you know it’s what you want.
And yeah, like what was just stated, most of the time, nobody’s actively shopping. Life’s busy, the starter home is fine, moving feels like a lot. Then one random day, there’s a for-sale sign out front, or it pops up on Zillow while casually scrolling, and it’s like, okay wow, that’s not supposed to happen. And now the timing becomes the problem, because loving a house is easy. Buying it without blowing up a whole financial plan is the part that needs a little more thought. So, what can you even do?
Pause for a Minute and Get Real About Timing
Yeah, it’s tempting to jump straight into offer mode, but timing can get messy fast. If the current home isn’t listed, or it’s listed but not under contract, the dream-home timeline is now competing with the reality of selling. That’s when the brain starts doing that thing where it assumes everything will line up perfectly, and okay sure, sometimes it does. But relying on perfect timing is risky.
So, it helps to look at the local pace, not just feelings. How fast are homes going under contract in that neighborhood? How long are closings taking? How quickly do starter homes like this usually sell, and at what price point? Not the highest list price seen online, but what they actually close at. And seriously, here, that gap actually matters.
Decide How to Approach the Dream House
If buying depends on selling, an offer might need a contingency, and yeah, contingencies can be less appealing to sellers. But you obviously can’t blame them, though, right? But it doesn’t mean it’s pointless. So, don’t entirely get your hopes up here, but a strong offer can still stand out if the terms are clean and serious. Sometimes that means flexibility on closing dates. Sometimes it means showing proof of funds for a down payment, or having a lender fully lined up so financing isn’t shaky.
It can also help to ask about what the seller wants. Some sellers need time to move, some want a fast close, and some want predictability more than speed. If a longer closing or a rent-back helps them, it can help the buyer too, because it creates breathing room without promising magic. Not all of them will cooperate, but just knowing your options and knowing what you can at least bring to the table will at least help a bit (seriously, you never know what could happen).
You Might Need a Backup Plan
If the dream home needs a fast move and the starter home sale might lag, it helps to have options on the table ahead of time. Maybe the advice listed above won’t work; there’s always a chance for that. Some people compare bridging loan options to cover a short gap, but of course, that only works when the numbers make sense, and the exit plan is clear. That just might be an option for you, but don’t make any panic decisions, though.
Featured image: Photo by Thirdman : https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-house-for-sale-8482520/
