14/10/2026
Buy First or Sell First?
It’s one of the biggest questions when moving home: do you sell first, or secure your next property first? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, unfortunately. It comes down to your financial position, how readily your current property is likely to sell, and your risk appetite.
Sell first
This gives you certainty. You know exactly what your property has sold for and what you can comfortably spend next. The downside is that you may feel pressure to find your next home before settlement, or need temporary accommodation between moves.
Buy first
This gives you more freedom to wait for the right property. However, if your existing home takes longer to sell, you could temporarily be carrying two properties. Bridging finance may be an option, but it comes with additional costs and risk.
Before deciding, we suggest you gather the facts as they apply to you and your situation. Know what your current property is realistically worth, understand your finance position, see what’s available in your preferred area, and factor in how long your property could take to sell. As a broad guide in our market, residential properties are currently taking around 45–55 days to sell, while lifestyle properties can take around 75–110 days. Remember, these timeframes reflect properties that have sold, not those still sitting on the market. The right strategy, dynamic implementation and strict management are always critical components to a timely sale.
Sometimes the smartest first move isn’t buying or selling; it is actually knowing your options and your market.