You’ve Found Your Dream House. Should You Put Yours on the Market First? 

You’ve found it.

The house you can actually picture yourself living in. The kitchen works, the garden’s perfect for those family BBQ’s . You’re already picturing yourself living in it and mentally you’ve decided where the sofa is going to be. 

There’s just one problem. 

Your house isn’t even on the market yet. 

What do you do?  

Do you rush to make an offer and hope everything falls into place?  

Or should you have sold yours first? 

Being Ready Can Make a Big Difference 

Here’s the thing sellers care about: can you actually proceed? 

Rightmove specifically advises sellers to look at a buyer’s position when considering an offer, including whether their current property is already on the market or under offer. Someone who still needs to sell may be a less attractive option than a buyer who is ready to move. 

That matters even more if several people want the same house. 

Your offer might be fantastic, but another buyer who is already sold, chain-free or further along could give the seller more certainty. 

Selling Doesn’t Happen Overnight Either 

Putting your home on the market today doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a buyer tomorrow. 

Rightmove says the average time to find a buyer in 2025 ranged between 59 and 77 days, depending on the point in the year and the local market. 

That’s why waiting until you’ve fallen in love with another property can suddenly make everything feel very rushed. 

But Should You Sell Before You’ve Found Somewhere? 

Not necessarily. 

There’s a difference between being on the market and having to move out immediately. Getting your property valued, photographed, and listed means you can start understanding your own position while you search. 

Then, when the right home does appear, you’re not starting from zero. 

Our Advice? 

If you know you’re serious about moving, start the conversation sooner rather than later. 

Find out what your home is worth.  

Understand how quickly properties like yours are selling locally.  

Get yourself into the strongest position you comfortably can. Finding your dream home is really exciting. Finding it and then realising you’re not ready to buy it? That could lead to massive disappointment.  

Our agents operate across their local areas and will be able to answer any questions or doubts you may have about moving. Find your local expert today and put your mind at ease.