What It Takes to Successfully Sell and Buy at the Same Time (A Client Story)
Selling a home while buying another — especially in today’s market — is one of the most complex moves a homeowner can make. The timing, negotiations, emotions, and financial decisions all overlap, and one misstep can ripple through both transactions.
Recently, I had the opportunity to guide a client through this exact scenario, and her experience highlights what truly matters when navigating a dual transaction.
The Challenge: Two Major Moves, One Strategy
My client came to me facing a situation many homeowners find themselves in:
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She needed to sell her current home
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She also needed to secure her next home
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Both transactions had to be coordinated carefully to protect pricing, timing, and leverage
This wasn’t just about listing a house or submitting an offer. It required a clear strategy that balanced risk, opportunity, and personal priorities.
Step One: Understanding the “Why” Behind the Move
Before discussing pricing or neighborhoods, we spent time clarifying:
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What she truly needed in her next home
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What features were “must-haves” versus “nice-to-haves”
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Her tolerance for timing pressure and contingency risk
Understanding a client’s needs and wants isn’t a formality — it’s the foundation of good decision-making. Without that clarity, even strong market conditions can lead to regret.
Strategic Execution on Both Sides of the Deal
Selling Over Asking Price
On the sale side, the focus was precision:
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Accurate pricing based on current buyer behavior
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Positioning the home to create competition
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Negotiating from strength once offers were on the table
The result: a successful sale above asking price, without unnecessary concessions.
Buying Below Asking Price
At the same time, we approached the purchase with discipline:
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Evaluating value, not emotion
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Understanding seller motivation
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Structuring an offer that protected leverage
That strategy allowed us to secure her new home below asking price, even in a competitive environment.
Winning on both sides doesn’t happen by chance — it happens through planning and negotiation.
Communication Is the Glue That Holds It Together
When two transactions are moving simultaneously, communication becomes critical.
Throughout the process, I focused on:
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Keeping all parties aligned
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Coordinating timelines between attorneys, lenders, and agents
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Proactively addressing issues before they became obstacles
Clear communication doesn’t just reduce stress — it keeps deals moving forward.
Going Beyond the Contract
Real estate contracts define obligations. Exceptional service goes beyond them.
This transaction required:
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Extra time
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Additional showings
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Flexibility and availability
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Ongoing guidance through decisions that weren’t always easy
Putting the client first isn’t a slogan — it’s a standard.
The Outcome (And What Matters Most)
At the end of the process, my client didn’t just achieve strong financial results. She moved into a home that truly fit her vision — with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
As she shared afterward:
“Scott is a very experienced and seasoned real estate agent… He successfully negotiated the sale of my house over asking price, and at the same time was able to secure my new home purchase at below asking price… I can say without reservation that he puts the client first, and that he went beyond the contractual obligations to get the results I wanted.”
That’s the outcome I aim for every client.
Final Thoughts
Buying and selling at the same time doesn’t have to feel overwhelming — but it does require the right guidance.
When strategy, communication, and advocacy are aligned, even complex transactions can be handled smoothly and successfully.
About Scott Selleck
Scott Selleck is a veteran real estate broker with over 32 years of experience serving Bergen and Hudson County homeowners.
As the founder of The Selleck Group at Keller Williams City Views Realty, Scott combines seasoned negotiation skills with modern, data-driven strategy to guide clients through buying, selling, and complex transition moves with confidence.
📍 2200 Fletcher Avenue, Suite 502, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
📞 Office: 201-592-8900 | Cell: 201-970-3960
🌐 www.SelleckSellsNJ.com
✉️ [email protected]
