Discuss a Sale Contingency With a Buyer Who Owns a Home

Buyers who need proceeds from their present home often need a clear timeline before they fall in love with the next one. A buyer agent can surface the moving parts, explain that offer terms are the buyer’s choice, and coordinate with the buyer’s lender and listing professional. Contract wording and financing decisions belong with the qualified parties handling those workstreams.

Alina tells agent Marcus, “We accepted an offer on our townhouse yesterday, so we can start looking seriously now.” Marcus says, “Congratulations. Let’s map the dates that affect this purchase: your inspection period, your buyer’s closing date, and the lender’s process for this next loan.” Alina clarifies that her townhouse buyer still needs to sell another property. Marcus asks what happens if that sale changes and whether Alina has discussed the new purchase with her lender. When they tour a home that evening, she asks, “Can we write an offer that makes all of this safe?” Marcus explains that he can outline possible offer conditions for her to review with her legal and lending advisers. He does not suggest that any term guarantees a result.

Send Alina a timeline with confirmed dates, pending dates, and people who own each answer. The listing agent for her townhouse can update its transaction; the lender can explain loan documentation; counsel can advise on the agreement. Marcus keeps the purchase search aligned with facts already known.

Practice with a buyer whose current sale has passed inspection but has not closed. Ask the agent to avoid treating that milestone as a completed move. Review the recap for one useful question about risk, one deadline, and one decision Alina still controls. The buyer leaves knowing what must be verified before she commits to another contract.