Introduction

Thinking about upgrading your home? Whether you need more space, want a better location or simply crafe a lifestyle change, moving up can be exciting, but also overwhelming!

This guide will show you how to buy your next home while selling your current one, without unnecessary stress, delays or financial strain.

Why Move-Up Buyers Get Suck

Most move-up buyers get caught in a tough spot because they don't plan the timing of their sale and purchase properly.

The two most common pitfalls:

1) Buying first, then scrambling to sell

2) Waiting to buy until their current home is sold

Both of these can create uncessary pressure, limited options and missed opportunities.

Your Move-Up Options

Here are three common strategies for buying and selling:

1. Sell First, Then Buy
 
- Pros: You know exactly how much you can spend.
- Cons: Rish of temporary housing or feeling rushed to find your next home.

2. Buy First, Then Sell

- Pros: You can move at your own pace and buy the right home.
- Cons: May require two mortgage or extra finiancing (bridge loan).

3. Simultaneous Close

- Pros: Smoothest financial transition when executed well.
- Cons: Requires excellent coordination with your real estate agent and lenders.

The Smart Move-Up Strategy

To reduce stress and maximize results: follow these key steps:

 

Step 1: Get Pre-Approved (Again)
- Know what you qualify for before you start shopping.
- Ask about financing options for move-up buyers (like bridge loans, HELOCs, etc.).

 

 

Step 2: Prep Your Current Home Early
-Declutter, make repairs, and get a market-ready assessment.
- Your agent may even pre-market your home while you look for your next home.

Step 3: Work with an Experienced Agent
- You need someone skilled in handling dual transactions and timing.
- Ask them about recent move-up clients they've helped.

Step 4: Time Your Transaction Strategically
- Try to align your sale and purchase closing dates.
- Consider rent-backs or contingencies if the timing isn't perfect.

Step 5: Have a Back-Up Plan
- Plan for temporary housing, just in case.
- Keep a flexible mindset - you're making a big upgrade!

Mistakes to Avoid

- Waiting to long to prep your current home

 

- Shopping without a clear financing strategy

 

- Choosing an agent with little move-up experience

 

- Assuming your home will sell instantly

Final thoughts

Moving up doesn't have to mean more stress.  With the right plan and the Rama Mehra team as your trusted guide, you can sell your current home and move into your next one smoothly.

Many of our past clients, have become move-up clients.  We've helped them successfully naviagate the process of selling their current home and buying a new one.  It takes an agent who knows how to make it happen.

Give us a call (925) 415-0835 to talk strategy!  We can build a custom plan for your situation and help you start the process of mapping out your plan for your move-up.

REVIEWS

Rajat Sharma

As second-time homebuyers, we came into the process with very specific requirements and a clear vision of what we wanted—and Kellie rose to the challenge with professionalism, patience, and expertise. From the beginning, she took the time to truly understand our priorities, preferences, and non-negotiables. Rather than rushing the process, Kellie approached each showing and open house with a clear strategy, helping us focus on properties that matched our goals while also pointing out potential we might have overlooked. Her patience was especially valuable as we navigated a highly competitive market. She never pressured us and always gave us the space and insight we needed to make confident decisions. When it came time to submit offers and negotiate, her experience and instincts were spot on. Behind the scenes, Kellie was instrumental in helping us navigate a complex financial transaction. She was in constant communication with our lender and ensured every piece of paperwork was handled accurately and on time. Her ability to keep everything on track made what could have been a stressful experience feel organized and manageable. We are so grateful to have had Kellie on our side throughout this journey. Her professionalism, strategic mindset, and genuine care for our needs made all the difference. We wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again or recommend her to anyone looking for a truly exceptional real estate partner.

Nalin Chakoo

We had a wonderful experience working with Kellie from the Rama Mehra team both times we've bought a home in Fremont and later San Ramon. She helped us purchase our first home in Fremont back in 2017, and now again with our new home in San Ramon. Having known and worked with her for over seven years, we can confidently say Kellie is someone you can trust and rely on through every step of the home-buying journey. Kellie is meticulous, detail-oriented, and extremely organized. She’s very informed about the Bay Area housing market and always came prepared with relevant local insights that helped guide our decisions. Throughout the process, she kept us constantly updated via WhatsApp group with my spouse, followed up diligently on both weekdays and weekends, and promptly responded to any questions we had, often within minutes. One of the things we’ve always appreciated about Kellie is that she never pushes. She creates a calm and comfortable environment where you can evaluate your options thoughtfully and decide at your own pace. Her professionalism, clear communication, and ability to smooth the complexities of buying a home made a big difference both times. We’re grateful to have had her by our side again and would wholeheartedly recommend Kellie to anyone looking for a reliable, informed, and genuinely supportive agent.

Varun Pandey

Great team, mentor, gurus! Supported us through the painful journey of selling the house in a very very tough market. They dealt with all the challenges including our emotional state and singlehandedly navigated us towards a better future. Thank you!

Sameer K

The Rama Mehra team helped us buy a home after searching for about 9 months. (We were very picky about what we wanted in a house) Throughout the process, Rama and the team have been on top of things and provided us extremely quick service, especially whenever we wanted to see a home (Big thanks to Shiv for showing us so many homes.) Some points to note: - Rama was a bit pushy in the beginning but once she got to know our buying strategy better, everything was fine. - Whatever system Rama has for calculating comps gives some inflated value. ($70k more in my case) I did my own analysis of homes recently sold in the area and my home appraised for exactly what I offered.

Parikshit Iyengar

Buying a home in the Bay Area, a brutal seller’s market if there ever was one, can be a demanding and, at times, exasperating experience. Having the right agent can make a lot of difference to this process. We worked with Bhamini (and Rama Mehra’s team at Asante realty) for over eight months and can’t recommend her enough. As first time home buyers, having her sound advice, expertise and support guide our decision making was immensely valuable. She is always responsive, available and works with you as you fine-tune your needs and parameters, and is endlessly patient and understanding as you keep changing your mind. She is your staunchest advocate in the buying process and puts your interests first and foremost. As newbies to this world, we were particularly appreciative of Bhamini’s mindful ability to guide us so we could feel confidence and agency in the calls we made, and her instinct for addressing our small and big anxieties and uncertainties heads-on with data and expertise.

Priyanka Vj

I had an outstanding experience working with Rama as my real estate agent. From the very first interaction, she demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and a deep understanding of the market. She took the time to listen to my needs and preferences, ensuring that every property she recommended was a perfect fit. Her communication was always prompt, clear, and helpful, making the entire process smooth and stress-free. Whether it was answering my endless questions or skillfully negotiating on my behalf, Rama consistently went above and beyond. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and wholeheartedly recommend Rama to anyone looking to buy or sell a home!

Jimmy Wang

I feel lucky to have Rama and Sunil to help me selling the house. They provided a clear timeline and ensured everything was going on schedule. They always kept us updated and were very helpful in answering any questions we had, responding quickly and offering to explain or discuss. Special thanks to Sunil helping us to refer to the contractors who did the good job on time. Overall, Rama and Sunil made it smooth process, keeping our stress levels low. We definitely recommend working with them

varun chaudhari

A Life-Changing Experience – Forever Grateful to Rama Mehra & Abby Stein Buying your first home is something you never forget — it’s emotional, exciting, and honestly, a little scary at times. But having Rama Mehra and Abby Stein by my side made all the difference in the world. From our very first conversation, I felt seen, heard, and supported. Rama and Abby didn’t just treat me like a client — they treated me like family. They took the time to really understand what I was looking for, even when I wasn’t sure myself. Their patience, knowledge, and heart guided me through every single step. There were moments I doubted if I’d ever find the right place, but Rama and Abby never let me give up. Their encouragement kept me grounded, and their commitment made me feel like my dream home mattered just as much to them as it did to me. And then… it happened. We found the one. I still remember the moment we stepped into that house — it just felt right. And with their help, that dream became my reality. Even after the keys were in my hand, they were there — checking in, offering support, and reminding me that this was more than a transaction. It was the beginning of a new chapter. I’ll never forget how they made me feel during this journey — safe, confident, and truly cared for. If you’re looking for a team that leads with heart, expertise, and unwavering support, look no further than Rama Mehra and Abby Stein. I’m forever grateful to them for helping me find not just a house, but a home.

Dinesh Maharjan

Kellie is truly outstanding! She is not just an exceptional real estate agent but also a consummate professional who brings immense value to her company. From our very first interaction, it was clear that Kellie possesses a wealth of market knowledge that sets her apart from others in the industry. Her ability to stay updated on market trends and local insights proved invaluable in guiding us through the buying process. What impressed us the most was her unwavering availability. No matter when we had questions—be it day or night—Kellie was always there to provide answers and reassurance. She took the time to thoroughly understand our specific needs, preferences, and concerns, which made us feel valued and understood as clients. Her expert guidance was instrumental in helping us navigate the complexities of the real estate market. Throughout the entire process, Kellie kept us informed at every stage, ensuring we never felt out of the loop. Her communication skills are top-notch, and she made sure we were comfortable and confident in our decisions. Additionally, her hard work and negotiation skills were truly remarkable; she fought tirelessly on our behalf and secured an incredible deal that exceeded our expectations. We wholeheartedly recommend Kellie to anyone in need of real estate assistance. She is not only a dedicated agent but also a person of great integrity who treats her clients like family. Her commitment to her work and her clients makes her an invaluable asset to her company. It was a genuine pleasure working with Kellie, and we are grateful for her support throughout our journey. With her expertise and personal touch, she will undoubtedly continue to make a significant impact in the real estate industry.