If you're thinking about buying a new home but still need to sell your current one, you may have heard about something called a "subject-to-sale" offer. It sounds like a good idea — buy the home you love, but only if yours sells. But before jumping in, it’s important to know how this works and what risks come with it.
A subject-to-sale offer means your offer to buy a home depends on selling your current home first. It protects you as the buyer but can create uncertainty for the seller. Because of this, sellers might expect you to offer more money just to accept your conditions — sometimes $10,000 to $50,000 more, depending on the property.
Another challenge is something called a bump clause. This means if another buyer comes in with a strong offer, the seller can give you notice (usually 48 to 72 hours) to remove your conditions or lose the home. This can put you in a tough spot, especially if your home hasn’t sold yet.
Also, you may feel pressure to sell your current home for less than you wanted, just to make sure you don’t lose the home you’re trying to buy. That’s why many real estate professionals recommend selling first. Once your current home is sold, you know exactly how much you can spend and can make stronger offers without extra conditions.
We’ve improved how we handle subject-to-sale clauses over the years, adding more buyer protections into our contracts. But even with these updates, the process still comes with risks. In many cases, selling first gives you more control and peace of mind.
Need help deciding the best option for you? Jared Gibbons is a real estate agent with over 10 years of experience who can guide you through every step of the process. Whether you're buying, selling, or both — Jared will help you find exactly what you're looking for with confidence and clarity.