Utah County & Salt Lake County · Free guide
Ready to move up? Trade up without guessing.
The order to do things in, the equity math, and your options for buying your next home before (or after) you sell this one. Free, seven pages, written for Utah homeowners.
Send me the Move-Up GuideFree. No obligation. Opens as soon as you submit.
Most move-up stress comes from doing things out of order
Like shopping for the next house before you know what this one will net you. Here's the order that works.
- 01
Know your numbersYour equity estimate and a real pre-approval, so your budget is a number, not a feeling.
- 02
Get your current home readySmall repairs, a deep clean, and a price based on today's market.
- 03
Choose your path and your bridgeBuy first or sell first, and how you'll cover the gap, before you fall in love with a house.
- 04
Shop and write the right offerStructure your terms around your sale, and ask for what today's market allows.
- 05
Close, move, hand over the keysLine up both closings so you move once, not twice.
Buy first or sell first?
Neither is right for everyone. It comes down to your equity and what you can qualify for.
Buy first
You get: certainty on your next home; you move once.
Trade-off: possibly two payments for a while.
Best if: you have strong equity or can qualify for both payments.
Sell first
You get: certainty on your cash and a stronger offer.
Trade-off: you may need a rent-back or short-term housing.
Best if: you need your equity for the down payment.
Your next down payment is probably sitting in your current home
The guide walks you through the equity math line by line. Here's the idea with round numbers.
On a $700,000 next home, that's roughly a 31% down payment.
Round numbers for illustration only. Your numbers depend on your home, your loan, and negotiated terms.
What's inside the guide
Seven pages you can read in one sitting, then print the checklist.
- The 5-step move-up timeline, in the order that avoids the stress
- A fill-in equity worksheet to find your real down payment
- Four bridge options: contingent offer, bridge financing, rent-back, short-term housing
- What buyers are asking sellers for in today's market
- Not ready to sell? Renting it out, pulling equity, or waiting while you prep
- The printable "I'm Ready to Move Up" checklist
First-time buyers
First-time buyer? Avoid these five mistakes.
Most first-time buyers who run into trouble skipped a step or didn't look at the whole picture. Here are the five I see most often.
1. Shopping before you're pre-approved.
Pre-qualification is a rough estimate. Pre-approval means a lender has reviewed your income, debts, and credit. Get pre-approved before you tour homes so you know your real budget.
2. Not planning cash beyond the down payment.
Plan for earnest money, closing costs, moving expenses, and a cushion for the first few months. A local move often runs $800 to $2,500, and a long-distance move can run $4,000 or more.
3. Budgeting for the purchase, not the monthly payment.
Build your budget around principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA dues. Let your monthly budget set the limit, not the most a lender will approve.
4. Skipping the homework.
Check schools and neighborhoods at different times of day. Read builder incentives and their fine print. Get a full home inspection, and ask about mold and radon testing.
5. Treating the home as a short-term decision.
Decide whether this is a stepping stone or a long-term asset. Forecast your equity, and think about renting it out later as part of your retirement plan.
I've worked with the same title, lender, home warranty, and inspection professionals for years. If you want an introduction to any of them, reach out.
Get the guide with first-time buyer sourcesGet your free copy
Fill out the short form below and the Move-Up Guide opens right away. Tell me your current city and I'll follow up personally with a pricing range and equity estimate for your home, if you'd like one. Rather text? 385-521-5370.
↓JennyProRealtor · Real Broker · Utah County & Salt Lake County · Equal Housing Opportunity. General information, not tax, legal, or lending advice.
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