How To Buy Before You Sell A Home In Florida 

The decision to buy first or sell first has always been whats better or what’s best “ the chicken or the egg?” type of question.  Is it better to buy another Florida home before you sell your current one or sell the current one before you buy another Florida home?

Advantages of buying before you sell include!

Tap into cash flow

Cover expenses like the down payment, repairs, and moving

Be more competitive

Make offers more competitive with no contingency to sell your prior home

Your money goes further

Remove your current Florida mortgage from your new Florida mortgage calculation

Maximize your sale

Align incentives to get the most out of your home’s sale

Questions about buying before you sell include!

How do we determine the advance Loan amount to buy a new FLorida home?

We calculate the bridge loan amount based on the value of your home, current Florida mortgage balance and the amount you need to buy your new home. We provide this number early on to help inform next steps.

What makes Buy before you Sell in Florida better than a traditional Bridge Loan?

Our Bridge Loan comes with a purchase guarantee. It “untethers” buyers from a current home and Florida mortgage, but unlike the industry norm, our shared goal is to help get the highest price on the open market.

  • 92% of our customers homes are on the market less than 90 days
  • The average sale to list price ratio over the last 3 years is >100%
  • By far the majority of our customers sell their home to someone other than Buy before you Sell in Florida

How do we determine the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan amount?

We calculate the bridge loan amount based on the value of your home, current Florida mortgage balance and the amount you need to buy your new home. We provide this number early on to help inform next steps.

How much does the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan cost?

We price fairly and up front. Buy before you Sell in Florida charges a fixed 2.25% of the departing property’s estimated list price. In addition, you would pay an estimated closing cost of $1,850* determined based on factors such as the State-specific requirements and loan amount.

  • Our fees can be taken out of the bridge loan amount
  • The price is calculated on your estimated list price, not the final sales price, making the cost predictable and reliable
  • There is no interest for 180 days (6 months)

What is the catch?

None! We are different from the industry norm. We offer a guarantee to buy your home, which enables this process, but our goal is to help you get the best price on the open market. We are a caring group of professionals from across the industry who came together with the common belief there had to be a better way.

Can the fees be deducted from money we lend you?

Yes! Our fees can be taken out of the bridge loan amount we provide.

What can I use the Bridge Loan for?

It can be used toward part of the down payment, closing costs, up to 6 months of Florida mortgage payments on the departing property, moving expenses, non-structural renovations and maintenance to prepare the current home for listing, and more. You can also use it to pay off other debts—such as credit cards, car loans, or HELOCs—to reduce outstanding balances and improve your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which may increase your purchasing power. We’ll go over the specifics with you as we move further into the process.

Can I choose my own lender?

Yes! You can work with another lender for the purchase of your new home. We are proud to work with other lenders so they can offer the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan as a solution for homeowners buying and selling at the same time.

Can I choose my own agent?

Yes! You can work with any agent for listing your current home and the purchase of your new home.

What is the Buy before you Sell in Florida Purchase Offer?

Our first-of-its-kind Bridge Loan comes with a purchase guarantee, called the Buy before you Sell in Florida Purchase Offer. It “untethers” buyers from a current home and Florida mortgage, but unlike the industry norm, our shared goal is to help Sellers get the highest price on the open market.

The Buy before you Sell in Florida Purchase Offer is one of the most important components of the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan, as it is an offer to purchase the old house if it doesn’t sell in 6 months. This non-contingent offer typically allows you to exclude the old house in the debt to income calculations and is also designed to ensure all liens on the old house are paid off. Think of it as a safety net if your old house doesn’t sell for whatever reason.

What happens if my home doesn’t sell within 6 months?

With Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge loan, the goal is to sell your old home on the market for maximum value. On the off chance the home doesn’t sell on the market, you’ll have the option to exercise the Buy before you Sell in Florida Purchase Offer that we provide up front.

How much will you buy my house for?

We aim to assist you in achieving the highest possible price when selling your home. Along with our bridge loan offering, we provide an upfront Buy before you Sell in Florida Purchase Offer. This is crafted as a financial safety net, calculated based on our market analytical models, ensuring you have a dependable fallback option.

  • 92% of our customers homes are on the market less than 90 days
  • The average sale to list price ratio over the last 3 years is >100%
  • By far the majority of our customers sell their home to someone other than Buy before you Sell in Florida

Do I have to make two Florida mortgage payments?

No. You’ll pay the Florida mortgage on your new home, immediately building equity, and proceeds from the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan will be used to pay your old Florida mortgage for up to 6 months.

Can I spend part of the bridge loan for repairs on my old home?

Yes! Homes that are move-in-ready tend to sell faster and at a higher price. Buy before you Sell in Florida can provide up to $35,000 (as part of the total Bridge Loan) to use towards home prep on your old house (e.g., cosmetic upgrades, landscaping). The home prep funds can help maximize your home sale and minimize your days on market. Our Listing Operations team is here to support you with any questions you may have on Home Prep.

Can I buy new construction through the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan?

Yes absolutely! Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan is a great way to buy a new construction home as long as the builder is funding the cost of construction prior to the final closing (most large builders do this).

Can the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan be used to purchase condos/townhomes?

Yes! Though there are a few exceptions.  As long as the home you wish to purchase will be used as the primary residence, the bridge loan in combination with a separate purchase money loan, if needed, can be used to buy and sell most condos, townhomes and single family homes.

Will my current home qualify for the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan?

Most single family homes, including townhomes and certain condos,  qualify for the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan. Some things that would impede a home from qualifying would be significant water damage or foundation damage, a lack of recent similar sales data nearby, unpermitted additions, if a home is in poor condition, or if a condo is considered non-warrantable or located in an unserviceable area.

Manufactured homes, mobile homes, multi-family properties, and deed restricted properties are also ineligible. Our maximum listing price is $1,500,000 in most markets, while high-cost counties in California and Washington have a $2,500,000 threshold.

My current home is a condo, how will I know if it’s eligible?

Unfortunately, if your current condo is located in FL, IL or PA, it is not eligible at this time. If your current condo is located in any of our other serviceable states we will need to obtain information from your current condo management agency regarding property specifics and hazard insurance to determine eligibility.  We must confirm your existing condo meets standard FNMA/FHLMC guidelines as eligible. In general, this process can add 3-5 days to overall time of loan approval and can increase closing costs $300-$500, depending on the condo management’s costs to complete a questionnaire and provide us with the required documentation.

Will I still get to determine the list price for my home?

You and your agent determine the list price and provide the information to Buy before you Sell in Florida upfront as part of qualifying for the bridge loan. We require that you list your home at least 45 days after the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan is funded. If your house is already listed, you can still be eligible for our first-of-its-kind Bridge Loan.

What states does Buy before you Sell in Florida operate in?

We’re aiming to serve the nation, and we’re expanding as fast as we can! The Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan is currently available in all Florida.

What do I need to get started?

We start with reviewing your current Florida home  to ensure it’s eligible for the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan.  For this, we’ll need your address, estimated value, and estimated Florida mortgage balance. Call us now to findout if qualify. You are welcome to start the process yourself, or we often work with your Florida Florida mortgage lenders. If you don’t have one, we are happy to recommend one.

What is Buy before you Sell in Florida ?

Buy before you Sell in Florida is a caring group of people who came together from across the industry with the belief there had to be a better way to serve people in the journey between homes. We offer a first-of-its-kind Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan that gives everyone in the process more convenience, certainty, and competitiveness.  Founded in 2015, we have earned the industry’s trust: an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and relationships with more than 120,000 real estate agents in our 75 markets across the US. We are funded by industry leading investors, including Foundry Group, Second Century Ventures, RRE, Greycroft, and Parker89. We’re most proud of the stories from people we’ve helped get their new home, and the five star Zillow rating from over 750 reviews.

What’s the difference between the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan and the Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan Plus?

The Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan is ideal for clients who prefer to keep their existing Florida mortgage in place while purchasing their next home.

The Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan Plus is designed for clients who would benefit from paying off their departing property Florida mortgage — freeing up cash flow and increasing flexibility to qualify for more loan programs.

If Buy before you Sell in Florida pays off my existing Florida mortgage, who owns my home?

You do. Buy before you Sell in Florida simply pays off your departing property Florida mortgage and rolls it into your Buy before you Sell in Florida Bridge Loan as a lien on the property — but ownership always remains with you.

Does Buy before you Sell in Florida keep my equity after the bridge loan is repaid?

No. You keep 100% of the equity in your home. Once the bridge loan is paid off, any proceeds from the sale belong entirely to you.

The bridge loan is a single-payment loan. As an example, a $150,000 bridge loan with an APR of 2.485% would be repayable in a single payment of $151,850 on the maturity date.

Some Florida buyers don’t have a choice because they need the equity out of the current home to purchase the new one and possibly, their income limits their ability to qualify for having both Florida mortgages at the same time.  However, some buyers, with sufficient financial resources, may have other options available to facilitate the move.

A Florida home equity line of credit, HELOC, is a type of loan that a traditional lender like a bank will loan up to the difference in what is currently owed on the home and 75-80% of the value.  A borrower is approved for the line of credit and then, can borrow against it as needed.

A Florida homeowner with sufficient equity, would want to secure a HELOC prior to contracting for the new home.  Typically, the interest will be due monthly.  When they sell the home, the loan would be paid off along with any other liens on the property like the first Florida mortgage.

A bridge loan is different in that it is usually a specific amount of money for a short term used to “bridge” the time frame necessary to acquire the replacement property and sell the existing home.  The amount available is like the HELOC, usually, up to 80% of the home’s value less the existing Florida mortgage.

Some lenders may require being in the first position which may require retiring the existing first from the proceeds from the bridge lender.

Hard money Flroida mortgage lenders are a little more flexible in some of their requirements compared to typical lenders, but it comes at a cost.  They could charge two to three percent, called points, of the money borrowed paid up-front and the interest rate will be higher than long-term Florida mortgage money.

Another alternative is to find a conventional lender who has a program that allows you to recast the loan in a specified period.  The borrower would get a low-down payment Florida mortgage on the replacement home and after the original home is sold and funded, the lender will apply the lump sum toward the principal amount owed and recalculate the payments and amortization schedule.

By recasting the loan, the borrower does not go through the process of getting a new Florida mortgage by refinancing and saves the costs involved.  Most conventional loans and conforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans allow it after 90-days.  FHA, VA, GNMA loans do not allow recasting.

Borrowers with 401(k) retirement accounts may consider borrowing against that asset which could be a lower interest rate than other temporary options.  Depending on the size of the 401(k), the amount available to borrow could be up to half the balance or $50,000, whichever is less.   If the loan isn’t repaid in a timely fashion, there can be taxes and penalties.

In each of these options, the seller is involved in borrowing money to accommodate the purchase and sale of a home.  There will be expenses involved but the advantage is that they have a better chance of realizing most of their equity while facilitating a purchase before they sell their home.  This is particularly helpful in markets that are low in inventory.

One last option is to consider selling your existing home to an iBuyer or private investor.  The attraction to this alternative is that they will make you an instant offer, buy your home and you’ll have cash to use to purchase your new home.  These companies or investors, intend to resell the property, so they must discount the price they pay for your property taking into mind they will be responsible for repairs, maintenance, selling fees and other expenses.

While it may sound appealing, you may discover that the amount you will realize will be less than if you sell your home in a conventional manner.

Your real estate professional will be able to do a comprehensive market analysis to indicate market value and the net proceeds you can expect to have.  This will assist you in determining which option makes sense for you at this time.  They can also recommend lenders and approximate timelines for each alternative.

BUY BEFORE YOU SELL IN ALL FLORIDA 

Alachua
Altamonte Springs
Anna Maria
Apalachicola
Apopka
Arcadia
Archer
Astalula
Atlantic Beach
Atlantis
Auburndale
Aventura
Avon Park
Bal Harbour
Baldwin
Bartow
Bay Harbor Islands
Bay Lake
Bell
Belle Glade
Belle Isle
Belleair
Belleair Beach
Belleair Bluffs
Belleair Shore
Belleview
Beverley Beach
Biscayne Park
Blountstown
Boca Raton
Boynton Beach
Bradenton
Bradenton Beach
Branford
Bristol
Bronson
Brooker
Brooksville
Bunnell
Bushnell
Callahan
Callaway
Cape Canaveral
Cape Coral
Casselberry
Cedar Key
Center Hill
Century
Chattahoochee
Chiefland
Chipley
Cinco Bayou
Clearwater
Clermont
Clewiston
Cocoa
Cocoa Beach
Coconut Creek
Coleman
Cooper City
Coral Gables
Coral Springs
Cottondale
Crescent City
Crestview
Cross City
Crystal River
Cutler Bay
Dade City
Dania Beach
Davenport
Davie
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach Shores
De Bary
DeFuniak Springs
Deerfield Beach
Deland
Delray Beach
Deltona
Destin
Doral
Dunedin
Dunnellon
Edgewater
Edgewood
El Portal
Estero
Esto
Eustis
Everglades City
Fanning Springs
Fellsmere
Fernandina Beach
Flagler Beach
Florida City
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Meade
Fort Myers
Fort Myers Beach
Fort Pierce
Fort Walton Beach
Fort White
Freeport
Frostproof
Fruitland Park
Gainesville
Glen Saint Mary
Golden Beach
Golf
Grant-Valkaria
Green Cove Springs
Greenacres
Greensboro
Greenville
Gretna
Groveland
Gulf Breeze
Gulfport
Haines City
Hallandale Beach
Hampton
Havana
Haverhill
Hawthorne
Hialeah
Hialeah Gardens
High Springs
Highland Beach
Highland Park
Hilliard
Hillsboro Beach
Holly Hill
Hollywood
Holmes Beach
Homestead
Howey-in-the-Hills
Hypoluxo
Indialantic
Indian Creek
Indian Harbour Beach
Indian River Shores
Indian Shores
Indiantown
Inglis
Interlachen
Inverness
Islamorada, Village of Islands
Jacksonville
Jacksonville Beach
Jasper
Jay
Juno Beach
Jupiter
Jupiter Inlet Colony
Jupiter Island
Kenneth City
Key Biscayne
Key Colony Beach
Key West
Keystone Heights
Kissimmee
La Crosse
LaBelle
Lady Lake
Lake Alfred
Lake Buena Vista
Lake Butler
Lake City
Lake Clark Shores
Lake Hamilton
Lake Helen
Lake Mary
Lake Park
Lake Placid
Lake Wales
Lake Worth Beach
Lakeland
Lantana
Largo
Lauderdale Lakes
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
Lauderhill
Layton
Lazy Lake
Lee
Leesburg
Lighthouse Point
Live Oak
Longboat Key
Longwood
Loxahatchee Groves
Lynn Haven
Macclenny
Madeira Beach
Madison
Maitland
Malabar
Manalapan
Mangonia Park
Marathon
Marco Island
Margate
Marianna
Mary Esther
Mascotte
McIntosh
Medley
Melbourne
Melbourne Beach
Melbourne Village
Mexico Beach
Miami
Miami Beach
Miami Gardens
Miami Lakes
Miami Shores
Miami Springs
Micanopy
Midway
Milton
Minneola
Miramar
Monticello
Montverde
Moore Haven
Mount Dora
Mulberry
Naples
Neptune Beach
New Port Richey
New Smyrna Beach
Newberry
Niceville
North Bay Village
North Lauderdale
North Miami
North Miami Beach
North Palm Beach
North Port
North Redington Beach
Oak Hill
Oakland
Oakland Park
Ocala
Ocean Breeze
Ocean Ridge
Ocoee
Okeechobee
Oldsmar
Opa-locka
Orange City
Orange Park
Orchid
Orlando
Ormond Beach
Oviedo
Pahokee
Palatka
Palm Bay
Palm Beach
Palm Beach Gardens
Palm Beach Shores
Palm Coast
Palm Shores
Palm Springs
Palmetto
Palmetto Bay
Panama City
Panama City Beach
Parker
Parkland
Paxton
Pembroke Park
Pembroke Pines
Penney Farms
Pensacola
Perry
Pierson
Pinecrest
Pinellas Park
Plant City
Plantation
Polk City
Pomona Park
Pompano Beach
Ponce Inlet
Port Orange
Port Richey
Port St. Joe
Port St. Lucie
Punta Gorda
Quincy
Reddick
Redington Beach
Redington Shores
Riviera Beach
Rockledge
Royal Palm Beach
Safety Harbor
San Antonio
Sanford
Sanibel
Sarasota
Satellite Beach
Sebastian
Sebring
Sewall’s Point
Shalimar
Sneads
Sopchoppy
South Bay
South Daytona
South Miami
South Palm Beach
South Pasadena
Southwest Ranches
Springfield
St. Augustine
St. Augustine Beach
St. Cloud
St. Leo
St. Lucie Village
St. Marks
St. Pete Beach
St. Petersburg
Starke
Stuart
Sunny Isles Beach
Sunrise
Surfside
Sweetwater
Tallahassee
Tamarac
Tampa
Tarpon Springs
Tavares
Temple Terrace
Tequesta
Titusville
Treasure Island
Trenton
Umatilla
Valparaiso
Venice
Vero Beach
Virginia Gardens
Waldo
Wachula
Webster
Welaka
Wellington
West Melbourne
West Miami
West Palm Beach
West Park
Westlake
Weston
Wewahitchka
White Springs
Wildwood
Wilton Manors
Windermere
Winter Garden
Winter Haven
Winter Park
Winter Springs
Yankeetown
Zephyrhills
Zolfo Sprin

Thomas Martin

Sr. Mortgage Loan Advisor
TX, FL – NMLS #156080

Info Request Form

Mortgage Menu

MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE

PORTFOLIO

NO MIN FICO SCORE 

NO TAX RETURN

350 MIN FICO

FHA/VA

500 MIN FICO

CONVENTIONAL

620 MIN FICO

CALL NOW!

954-667-9110

Apply Now!

All Information Subject To Change