One move. Two transactions. Start with the timeline.

Put both sides on one page.

When buying and selling overlap, each decision can affect the other. Start with the dates that matter to you, then separate what you control from what depends on a buyer, seller, lender or other party.

List the earliest and latest dates that would work for your move. A realistic range is more useful than treating one preferred closing day as a certainty before either transaction is arranged.

Have the financing conversation early.

Tell your lender that a sale may be part of the plan. Ask which funds and obligations need to be reviewed, and what information is required before choosing a purchase strategy. Do not assume that equity shown on a screen is cash already available for the next closing.

Ask for the implications of the options you are considering. The right sequence depends on your circumstances, the transactions and the financing available to you; there is no single sequence that fits every move.

Plan for the physical handoff.

Closing and moving are related but distinct events. Work through access, packing, storage, utilities and any gap between leaving one property and occupying the next. Confirm possession arrangements through the appropriate transaction documents.

Consider a backup plan for dates that change. Temporary accommodation or storage may be worth researching even when you hope not to use it. Knowing the practical alternatives makes the conversation more concrete.

Keep preparation connected to the schedule.

If you are selling, identify the work that must happen before photographs and showings. If you are buying, decide what information you need before pursuing a property. Review the two lists together so one does not quietly assume the other is complete.

• Share the full move with your agent and lender.
• Separate preferred dates from contractual commitments.
• Plan the funds, documents and physical move together.
• Revisit the plan when either transaction changes.