If you’re a homeowner in Arlington Heights thinking about making a move, you might be wondering:
“Do I start by house hunting or list my current home first?”
It’s a fair question — and the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. But after helping hundreds of local clients navigate this exact decision, we’ve seen what tends to work best in our market right now.
In many cases, selling first puts you in a stronger, more flexible position. Here’s why.
1. You Unlock Your Equity
Your current home is more than just a roof over your head — it’s likely your biggest financial asset. With home values in Arlington Heights continuing to rise, chances are you’ve built up a nice chunk of equity over the years.
Listing your home first allows you to tap into that equity and put it toward your next down payment (or even buy your next place in cash — yes, that happens!). Either way, you’ll be shopping with real buying power.
2. You Avoid the Stress of Two Mortgages
Buying first might sound ideal until you find yourself juggling two payments — and that’s assuming everything goes smoothly. If you’re still carrying your current mortgage while trying to close on a new one, things can get financially tight fast.
Selling first eliminates that risk, letting you move forward with confidence instead of counting the days between closing dates.
3. Your Offer Looks Better to Sellers
In a competitive market like Arlington Heights, sellers are looking for clean offers without contingencies. If your home is already sold, you don’t need to include a sale contingency — and that makes your offer far more attractive.
This can give you a major edge when you’re ready to make an offer on your next dream home.
But… There’s One Tradeoff to Consider
Timing. Selling first means you may need temporary housing between closings — whether that’s a short-term rental, staying with family, or negotiating post-closing possession (where you rent back your home for a few weeks).
Luckily, we help clients navigate this all the time. We can guide you through flexible closing strategies and creative options to bridge that gap with as little disruption as possible.
So… What Should You Do First?
There’s no universal rule — but there is a smart approach based on your situation, your finances, and what’s happening in the Arlington Heights market right now.
That’s where the GetBurbed team comes in.
Let’s connect and walk through your home equity, timeline, and next steps so you can move forward with clarity and confidence — whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or relocating altogether. Reach out today!
Inspired by insights from Keeping Current Matters (KCM).
