Ah yes—the classic real estate chicken-and-egg question: Should I buy a new place before I sell the one I’m in, or sell first and figure it out after? If you’re currently Googling this with 14 browser tabs open and a slight panic sweat going, take a breath. Let’s walk through this—Okotoks-style.
Spoiler: there’s no universal “right” answer here. But there is a right answer for you—and that’s what we’re gonna get to.
Option 1: Selling First (A.K.A. Playing It Safe)
This route is for folks who like certainty, lower risk, and keeping their bank account on speaking terms with their stress levels.
Pros: You know exactly how much you made on your sale. You avoid owning two homes at once. Less pressure if the market shifts.
Cons: You might have to rent short-term or stay with family. The timing can feel tight—especially in a hot market where homes sell fast.
Best for you if: You’re not comfortable carrying two mortgages. You’re downsizing or moving out of town. Your home might take a little longer to sell. You’d rather not rush into a purchase just to “make it work.”
Option 2: Buying First (A.K.A. Go Big or Go Home… Literally)
Maybe you’ve already found the one—the Okotoks bungalow with the wraparound porch and dream kitchen—and you’re not letting it go. I get it.
Pros: You don’t have to scramble to find a place. You can take your time listing and showing your current home. You only move once.
Cons: You’re carrying two homes if your old one doesn’t sell quickly. You might feel financial pressure to accept a lower offer on your current place. If the market softens, that gap can sting.
Best for you if: You’ve got strong financing or equity. You’re upsizing and already pre-approved. You’re emotionally committed to a specific new home. You’re in a price range or neighborhood where homes don’t fly off the shelf.
A Middle Ground: The “Conditional on Sale” Offer
This is the unicorn of options, where you buy a home with a condition that your current place sells first.
Sounds great, right? Well… yes and no.
In competitive Okotoks markets, sellers don’t always love these. If another buyer comes in with a clean offer, yours could get bumped. But in a balanced or slower market, it can absolutely work.
Talk to your mortgage broker and your REALTOR® (me!) about how to structure this smartly—because timing is everything.
So… What Should You Do?
Honestly? It depends on your timeline, your finances, and your comfort with risk.
Here’s what I always recommend before deciding: Get your home’s market value nailed down. Have a mortgage pro run both buy-first and sell-first numbers. Talk to me about what’s happening right now in Okotoks—because things can shift fast out here.
You’re not alone in this decision, and you’re definitely not the first person to wonder “what if I mess this up?” You won’t—if you’ve got the right game plan.
Need help figuring out whether to buy or sell first in Okotoks? Let’s chat it out over coffee (or text, I don’t judge). I’ll shoot you straight and help you avoid regrets—real estate or otherwise.