The Ultimate Guide to Buying & Selling a Home Simultaneously in Sonoma County

If you’ve ever thought about moving but need to sell your current home first, you know it can feel like a high-stakes juggling act. The good news? With the right plan—and the right team—it doesn’t have to be.

In Sonoma County’s competitive yet opportunity-filled market, buying and selling simultaneously is absolutely possible. Whether you’re moving to Petaluma, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Sausalito, or somewhere in between, our proven process can help you make your move with confidence and without the stress.

Step 1: Know Your Numbers

Before you start house-hunting or prepping your current home for sale, we’ll connect you with a trusted lender to determine your buying power. This includes:

• Getting pre-approved

• Reviewing your equity

• Understanding how the timing of your sale affects your financing

Knowing your numbers up front helps you make confident decisions—especially in popular markets like Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, and Cotati, where desirable homes can sell quickly.

Step 2: Choose Your Path — Buy First or Sell First

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. We’ll help you decide which option makes the most sense based on your financial comfort level, market conditions, and personal needs.

Buy First: Ideal if you find your dream home—maybe a Craftsman in Petaluma’s historic west side or a modern farmhouse in Sonoma Valley—and have the financial flexibility.
Sell First: Reduces risk and often gives you stronger negotiating power as a buyer, particularly in high-demand areas like Mill Valley or Tiburon.

Step 3: Prepare Your Home for Sale

From minor touch-ups to professional staging, we’ll make sure your home shines for buyers. Our goal is to maximize your sale price while minimizing the time your home spends on the market.

Whether you’re listing a bungalow in Glen Ellen or a waterfront condo in Sausalito, we know exactly how to present your property for maximum impact.

Step 4: Align Closing Dates Like a Pro

We coordinate the timing between your home sale and purchase so you’re not stuck in limbo. This includes working closely with all parties involved to make sure the transaction timelines align perfectly.

Our expertise in navigating the Sonoma County and Marin County markets means we can anticipate common timing challenges—whether you’re upsizing in Novato or downsizing in Kenwood.

Step 5: Have a Back-Up Plan

Even with perfect planning, flexibility is key. Common strategies include:

• Rent-Back Agreement: Allows you to stay in your home for a set period after closing.

• Short-Term Rental: Gives you breathing room between transactions.

We’ve successfully negotiated rent-backs for clients in Healdsburg, Petaluma, and Santa Rosa, as well as short-term housing solutions in Marin coastal towns.

Why Work With Us

We’ve helped countless homeowners navigate buying and selling at the same time throughout Sonoma County and Marin County. From Petaluma to Healdsburg, Sausalito to Novato, our local expertise and strong vendor network mean you have a clear path forward—without the overwhelm.

Ready to Make Your Move?

Download our Ultimate Guide to Buying & Selling Simultaneously in Sonoma County for a detailed checklist and insider tips to keep your move on track.

📥 Contact us here or comment “GUIDE” on our latest Instagram post, and we’ll send it your way.

We’re realtors, moms, locals, and dog lovers serving Sonoma County and Marin County, who love sharing everything about where we live and the neighborhoods we explore. Follow along by signing up for our weekly newsletter with local favorites and the latest in real estate.