Selling Your Home While Buying New Construction in Macomb County

Maybe you've found a new construction home you love, but you still need to sell your current house. Or you want to move into a larger home but need the equity from your existing property. This is one of the situations where having a clear plan is especially important.

Giovanna Special is a Macomb County REALTOR® with 22 years of real estate experience and a new construction specialist. She helps buyers and sellers look at their options and coordinate the timing of both transactions, so the sale, the purchase, possession and financing all work together.

Key takeaways

• Start with your timeline and your equity, then choose a strategy that fits both.
• A home-sale contingency, post-closing occupancy or bridge financing can help line up the two closings.
• The builder's advertised starting price isn't necessarily what you'll end up paying, so know the full cost before you commit to a homesite.
• Some builders require your agent to be registered or with you on your first visit. Contact Giovanna before your first model home visit.

Your options for selling and buying at the same time

There are several ways to approach this. The right one depends on your equity, your financing and how much certainty you need.

• Home-sale contingency. Some builders accept a home-sale contingency, and a to-be-built home gives you months to prepare and list your current home so the two closings line up. Builder policies vary, so Giovanna confirms the terms in writing before you commit to a homesite.
• Post-closing occupancy. A negotiated period of post-closing occupancy lets you stay in your current home for a short time after it closes, so you can move straight into the next one.
• Bridge financing. Financing that can carry both homes for a while lets you buy first and sell second. Talk with a lender about whether it fits your situation.

The goal is to avoid unnecessary stress, unexpected expenses, and moving twice when possible. These terms have to be negotiated up front, so plan them before you make an offer.

A real example: selling in Sterling Heights while buying new construction in Shelby Township

A Sterling Heights family wanted to move north of Hall Road into Shelby Township, within the Utica Community Schools district. The colonial that fit was a spec home that was still under construction. It was listed at $850,000 and closed at $800,000.

Giovanna made the Shelby Township offer contingent on selling their ranch within 60 days. After painting and a deep clean, she priced the ranch at $450,000 to create competition. It sold in 5 days with two offers, for $460,000, and the buyer's ability to give 30 days of post-closing occupancy mattered as much as the price. Both homes closed as planned, and the family moved straight from their Sterling Heights ranch into their new Shelby Township home, with no temporary housing and no second move.

Read the full story on the Case Studies page

Know the true cost of the new home

One of the biggest surprises for buyers is realizing that the advertised starting price isn't necessarily what they'll end up paying. Homesite premiums, structural changes, design selections, landscaping, and other upgrades can add to the final cost.

Before you make a decision, Giovanna helps you understand what's included, what costs extra, and how different builders compare. She also helps buyers review available builder incentives and financing offers so they can understand the overall numbers, and that matters even more when the sale of your current home is paying for part of the new one.

Not everyone wants to wait for a home to be built. Some builders offer quick move-in homes that are already under construction or nearly completed, which can be a good option if you're on a shorter timeline.

Read Giovanna's guide to buying new construction in Macomb County or browse new construction communities.

Why bring your own agent when buying from a builder?

The builder's sales representative works for the builder. Giovanna's role is to represent your interests and help you understand the decisions you're making. That includes comparing builders, reviewing pricing and incentives, discussing contract terms, coordinating inspections, and helping you stay organized throughout the construction process.

Some builders require your agent to be registered or with you on your first visit. Contact Giovanna before your first model home visit.

Pricing and marketing the home you're selling

The work starts well before the listing goes live. Giovanna begins by looking at recent comparable sales, current competition, and what buyers are responding to in your neighborhood. From there, she helps you determine an appropriate asking price and prepare your home for the market.

Depending on the property, that may include staging recommendations, professional photography, video, open houses, digital marketing, and direct outreach to agents and potential buyers. But marketing alone doesn't sell a home. Pricing, presentation, negotiation, and timing all matter, and when you're also buying, terms like occupancy can be worth as much as price.

Find out what your home may be worth

Where Giovanna helps buyers and sellers

Giovanna's primary market is Macomb County, with a particular focus on Macomb Township, Shelby Township and Washington Township. She also helps buyers and sellers in Chesterfield Township, Clinton Township, Sterling Heights and throughout the rest of the county.

Frequently asked questions

Can Giovanna help me sell my current home and buy a new construction home?

Yes. She regularly helps clients coordinate selling one home while purchasing another, reviewing the timeline, financing options and available strategies to find the best approach.

Should I sell my home first or buy first?

It depends on your equity, your financing and how much certainty you need. Selling first locks in your price and tells you exactly what you can spend, but you may need short-term housing or a few weeks of post-closing occupancy. Buying first lets you move once, but you need financing that can carry both homes for a while.

Can I buy new construction before I sell my current home?

Often, yes. Some builders accept a home-sale contingency, and a to-be-built home gives you months to prepare and list your current home. Builder policies vary, so get the terms in writing before you commit to a homesite.

Can I avoid moving twice?

Usually, with planning. A home-sale contingency, a negotiated period of post-closing occupancy, or timing your listing to a new build's completion date can let you move straight from your current home into the next one.

How do I get started?

Call or text Giovanna at 586.709.5910, or book a consultation. You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. A simple conversation about your timeline and goals is the best place to start.

Talk with Giovanna about your next move

Whether you're building new, moving up or downsizing, Giovanna can help you put together one plan for the sale and the purchase. Book a consultation or call or text 586.709.5910.