Sell first: establish the proceeds.
A completed sale gives you a known proceeds figure for the next purchase. The trade-off can be temporary housing, storage and an extra move. Plan where you will live if the next home takes longer to find.
Buy first: establish the next home.
This can reduce the uncertainty about where you will go. It also requires a financing plan that accounts for the existing home and a possible overlap. Obtain a lender’s assessment before assuming you can carry both properties.
Link the transactions: coordinate the terms.
A purchase tied to the sale of your current home depends on the other parties’ willingness and the contract terms. Discuss deadlines, contingencies and possession together; do not assume the closings or moving dates will line up automatically.
Build a workable sequence.
Write down your likely selling range, estimated proceeds, lender-approved purchase budget, preparation tasks and latest workable moving date. Keep a backup housing plan and review the sequence before accepting an offer.