How we helped a New York homeowner sell and build in St. Augustine at the same time
Our client needed to sell her large New York home before she could buy here, where her daughter was building. We met on Zoom, connected her with a trusted agent in New York, and helped her choose a 55+ community within the same community her daughter was building in. Building new let us time her New York sale with her new home's closing. The whole process took about seven months.
The situation
Our client was leaving a big house in New York and downsizing to the St. Augustine area to be near her daughter, who was building a home here. She needed to sell her New York home in order to buy.
The challenge
Selling in one state and buying in another means two markets, two timelines and a lot of people who need to stay in sync. If the sale happens too early, you need a place to live in between. If it happens too late, you can't close on the new home.
What we did
We started with a Zoom call. We talked about the area, what she already knew, and what I could share that would help her figure out which communities would fit her best. We also talked about how to time the purchase with the sale.
She needed an agent in New York, so I referred her to a great agent in her area. That gave her a full team for the move: her New York agent, our team in St. Augustine, an attorney and a title company, all working together.
Next we looked at communities nearby. She decided on a 55+ community within the same community where her daughter was building.
She chose to build her new home, too. Building gave us a timeline to plan around, so we could line up the sale of her New York home with the closing on her new one. Her New York agent helped her prepare the house and timed the listing so the sale came together right when she was ready to close here.
The result
The build and the sale took about seven months from start to finish. Our client sold her New York home and closed on her new home in St. Augustine, close to her daughter. With all of us in communication at every step, she felt supported the whole time, and the move was smooth and efficient.
What we'd tell you if you're in the same spot
If you need to sell before you can buy, don't try to manage both ends alone. Get a trusted agent where you're selling and one where you're buying, and make sure they talk to each other. If you're open to building, the construction schedule can give everyone a target date to work toward.
Questions this case answers
Can I sell my home in another state and buy in St. Augustine at the same time?
Yes, with coordination. You'll want an agent where you're selling, an agent here, and the attorney and title company all in communication, with a plan for how the sale and purchase line up.
Do you work with agents in other states?
Yes. If you need to sell where you live now, we can refer you to a trusted agent in your area and stay in touch with them so both sides of your move stay on schedule.
How long does it take to sell and build at the same time?
For this client, the build and the sale took about seven months. Every timeline depends on the builder and the market where you're selling, which is why we plan the timing at the start.
Selling from out of state? See how we help out-of-state owners and downsizers, or how our Homebuyer Journey works.
Need to sell before you can buy?
Tell us where you're moving from and when you'd like to be here, and we'll help you plan both sides of the move.