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It’s one of the questions we hear most often from our clients: “Where do we even start? Do we sell first, or buy first?”

The good news: there’s no wrong answer. There is, however, the right answer for your situation, and that’s exactly what we’re here to help you figure out.

Option 1: sell before you buy

This is the safest approach from a financial standpoint. By selling first, you know exactly how much you have to work with for your next purchase. No surprises, no double mortgage, no stress of managing two transactions at once.

The benefits:

• You buy with a clear, confirmed budget
• Your down payment is ready the moment you find the right property
• You have stronger negotiating power as a buyer with no sale condition attached

The challenge: There may be a gap between the sale of your home and your move-in date for the new one. You might need to plan for temporary housing, with family, a short-term rental, or by negotiating possession dates with your buyer.

Option 2: buy before you sell

This approach gives you the time to find the property that truly fits, without the pressure of having to relocate quickly after your sale.

The benefits:

• You move once, directly into your new home
• You can search for your next property without rushing
• No scramble to find something under time pressure

The challenge: You may temporarily own two properties, which means two mortgages at the same time. This is where careful planning with your mortgage broker becomes essential.

The middle ground: a conditional offer

There’s a third option that often gets overlooked: making a purchase offer conditional on the sale of your current property. This lets you secure the home you want while giving yourself time to sell yours.

In an active market like Gatineau’s right now, this option is possible depending on the circumstances, and our team is here to assess whether it’s realistic for your specific project.

So, which option is right for you?

It depends on several factors: your financial situation, your comfort with uncertainty, your timeline, and the current conditions in your neighbourhood.

One thing we know for sure: good planning from the start changes everything. And that’s exactly what we work through with you, right from the first conversation.

Your next move starts here.
Whether you’re still weighing your options or ready to take action, a conversation with our team will give you a clear picture of your path forward.

We look forward to assisting you,
Équipe Sirois Simard
Your trusted real estate team in Gatineau

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