When you are buying one home and selling another, each transaction affects the choices available in the other. Start by making those connections visible. A clear plan records your financial limits, preferred order, acceptable dates and the point at which you need fresh advice.
Speak with your lawyer and lender before deciding whether to buy or sell first. Ask what funds are available at each stage, what depends on your sale and what an overlap would mean. Do not assume an indicative appraisal establishes the money you will actually have available for a purchase.
Build a simple timeline showing your proposed sale launch, possible offer decisions, purchase checks, condition dates, settlement and move. Mark the dates that are preferences and those that would become contractual commitments. Add a responsible person beside each action.
Selling first may clarify the sale outcome but leave you needing a temporary arrangement if the next home is not ready. Buying first may secure a preferred property but create financing and timing pressure. Neither sequence fits every household. Test both against realistic alternatives with your advisers rather than choosing solely around an ideal moving day.
Settled’s home-buying journey outlines the stages to allow for. Your own plan must connect those stages with the particular sale and purchase agreements.
Explain your timing constraints and preferred communication method. Make clear who is authorised to make decisions and when you need to be contacted. You can discuss possible settlement arrangements, but have proposed terms checked by your lawyer before committing to them.
Allow enough time to assess an offer on your home and an offer you want to make. A deadline on one transaction is not a reason to skip advice on the other. If the position changes, update the plan with your lender and lawyer before assuming an earlier approval still fits.
Think through storage, pets, school or work commitments and possible temporary accommodation. Obtain prices and cancellation terms before relying on them. Keep essential documents and a record of the latest agreed dates together so everyone is working from the same information.
Use the selling guide, offer guide and settlement and moving checklist. For the selling side, request an appraisal and tell the Devonport team how your purchase and sale need to connect.