Should I Sell My Reno Home Before Buying the Next One?

If you own a home in Reno and are planning a move, this is the decision that shapes everything.

Sell first gives you certainty.
Buy first gives you convenience.

The right answer depends on your equity, your timing, and how your specific neighborhood is performing right now.

Let’s break this down clearly.

The Two Paths

Option 1: Sell First, Then Buy

This is the safer financial path for most Reno sellers.

You know your net proceeds.
You know your buying budget.
You remove the risk of carrying two payments.
You negotiate your purchase from a stronger position.

The tradeoff is timing.
You may need short-term housing for 30 to 60 days.

In neighborhoods like South Reno and Northwest Reno, where competition can shift quickly, certainty matters.

If you are unsure what your home would realistically sell for, start here:
What Is My Home Worth in Reno Right Now
[VA insert internal link to home value blog]

Option 2: Buy First, Then Sell

This path makes sense when:

You have strong cash reserves.
You qualify to carry two payments temporarily.
You have a hard relocation deadline.
You find a rare replacement property.

This is common with relocation sellers moving in or out of Reno.

The risk is pressure.

If your current home does not sell quickly or is priced incorrectly, you lose leverage fast.

If pricing strategy concerns you, read this next:
How to Price Your Home Correctly in Reno and Avoid Chasing the Market

The Biggest Mistake Sellers Make

The biggest mistake is choosing a path without a strategy.

Example.

You buy first.
You list after moving out.
You price high to “leave room.”
Activity is slow.
You reduce.
Now buyers see price drops and negotiate harder.

That is how strong sellers lose leverage.

For a full overview of the selling process from start to finish, review:
Sell Your Home in Reno

Reno Is a Micro Market

Your decision depends on your price band and neighborhood.

A move up home in Damonte Ranch behaves differently than acreage in Pleasant Valley.
Luxury listings in Montreux behave differently than mid range homes in Northwest Reno.

Inventory, buyer urgency, and absorption rate vary.

This is not a headline decision. It is a local one.

For current conditions, review the latest Reno market update here:

Five Questions to Decide

Answer these honestly.

1. Do I need my equity to buy my next home?
   If yes, selling first is usually safer.

2. Can I carry two payments comfortably for 60 days?
   If no, sell first.

3. How rare is the home I want to buy?
   If it is unique, buying first may make sense.

4. How quickly would my current home sell if priced correctly?
   This is where strategy matters.

5. How much stress am I willing to absorb?
   Carrying two homes creates pressure.

If you are also evaluating representation, read this before making decisions:
How to Choose the Right Listing Agent in Reno and What to Avoid

If Your Home Was Previously Listed and Did Not Sell

Buying first becomes riskier.

If your property sat on the market before, the issue was likely pricing, preparation, or positioning.

Before making another move, read:
Why Some Homes Sit in Reno and What I Do Differently

Repositioning matters.

How I Help You Make This Decision

When I work with sellers planning a move, we map it step by step.

We review:

Your current neighborhood competition
Your realistic value range
Preparation timeline
Buying goals
Financing structure
Risk tolerance

Then we choose the path that protects your equity and your leverage.

Not the path that sounds easiest.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I make my offer contingent on selling my home?

• • Sometimes. It depends on competition and your price band. In stronger seller segments, contingency offers are weaker. In balanced segments, they can work with proper positioning.

2. Can I line up both closings back to back?

• • Yes. With structured pricing and prep, we can often coordinate timing closely.

3. Is it safer to wait for the market to improve?

• • Trying to time the market perfectly rarely works. Strategy and positioning matter more than headlines.

If You Want Clarity Before You Decide

If you tell me:

Your neighborhood
Your price range
Your ideal move date
Your target next home

I can map the smartest sequence for you.

Start with a private valuation here:
Get a FREE Home Valuation

Or schedule a consultation, and we will walk through both paths clearly.

No pressure. Just a plan.

About Jodi Schultz Kruse

Jodi Schultz Kruse is a Reno listing agent specializing in luxury homes, acreage properties, and niche real estate across South Reno, Pleasant Valley, and Washoe County. She focuses on pricing strategy, market positioning, and structured execution to help sellers move with confidence.