Buying And Selling At The Same Time In Reynoldsburg

Juggling a sale and a purchase at the same time can feel like a high‑wire act. You want the timing just right so you are not stuck with two mortgages or living out of boxes between moves. The good news: with a clear plan that fits today’s Reynoldsburg market, you can do this with confidence.

In this guide, you will learn the top strategies locals use, the timelines that actually work here, and the lender details that shape your budget. You will also see Ohio‑specific tips that keep closings smooth. Let’s dive in.

Reynoldsburg market at a glance

Prices and pace set your playbook. Recent data through December 2025 places the Reynoldsburg median sale price roughly in the 287,000 to 305,000 dollar range, with some sources showing up to about 318,000 dollars. Different providers report slightly different numbers because their data windows vary.

Homes here often go under contract in about 3 to 8 weeks. That window matters when you choose to sell first, buy first, or try both closings the same week.

Regionally, Central Ohio has been trending toward more inventory and a calmer market, though activity remains steady. You can review the metro context in the Central Ohio Housing Report. When homes in your price band are moving in under 30 days, you may want a buy‑first strategy to stay competitive. If listings are taking six weeks or longer and you need your sale proceeds, a sell‑first plan often reduces stress.

Choose your game plan

Sell first

How it works: you list your Reynoldsburg home, accept an offer, close, then shop and buy with the proceeds. This removes the risk of two mortgages and gives you a clear budget.

Best when: you need your equity for the down payment, want less financial risk, or feel confident you can find your next home after your sale.

Typical timeline:

• Prep and list: 1 to 3 weeks
• Under contract: usually 2 to 8 weeks here
• Contract to close: plan 30 to 45 days for standard loan and title steps, aligned with the CFPB closing process

Pro tip: If you want to avoid a double move, ask buyers for a short rent‑back as part of negotiations. Keep that term concise and well‑documented.

Buy first

How it works: you purchase your next home before selling your current one. You might use a bridge loan, HELOC, or cash reserves to cover the down payment, then pay it off after your sale.

Best when: you have strong equity and reserves, want to make a non‑contingent offer, or have found a home you do not want to lose.

What to expect:

• A bridge loan can be a short‑term solution designed to be repaid within 6 to 12 months. See this bridge‑loan primer for how fees, speed, and repayment work.
• Standard purchases still take about 30 to 45 days to close because of appraisal, title, and underwriting steps outlined by the CFPB.

Heads up on underwriting: if you buy before you sell, many lenders qualify you with both mortgage payments unless the sale of your current home will close at or before your new purchase. That is a critical budget point, and you should confirm it in writing with your lender’s underwriter. HUD guidance reflects this standard approach to mortgage credit analysis. You can review the underlying concept in HUD’s credit manual hosted here: Mortgage credit analysis reference.

Home‑sale contingency

How it works: your purchase offer depends on your current home selling by a set date. Sellers often include a kick‑out clause, which lets them keep marketing the home and accept another offer unless you remove your contingency within a short window.

Best when: the submarket is flexible and sellers are open to contingencies.

Timing notes:

• Common contingency windows are 30 to 60 days.
• Kick‑out response windows are often 24 to 72 hours. Make sure proof requirements and deadlines are written clearly.

Rent‑back after closing

How it works: you sell your home, then stay as a short‑term tenant under a written lease. This can help you close your sale and still shop for your next home without moving twice.

Best when: you want to sell first but avoid temporary housing.

What to include:

• Start and end dates, rent amount, security deposit
• Who pays utilities and handles basic upkeep
• Insurance needs, condition at move‑out, and penalties for overstays

Most rent‑backs run 30 to 60 days. Longer stays can create extra mortgage and insurance considerations, so document terms precisely.

Coordinated closings

How it works: your sale and your purchase close within days of each other so your proceeds flow straight into the next home.

Best when: both buyers and sellers are flexible and all parties can align timing.

Keys to success:

• Both deals still rely on the slower side’s schedule, often 30 to 45 days
• Build a small buffer for wire timing and the CFPB’s three‑business‑day Closing Disclosure rule
• Have a fallback, like a short rent‑back or temporary rental, in case one side slips

Financing choices and lender realities

A smooth buy‑sell plan starts with accurate pre‑approval and a cash‑flow map. Here are the pieces to confirm early.

• Debt‑to‑income and two payments: If you buy first, expect the lender to count both mortgages unless the sale of your current home will close at or before the purchase. Ask your loan officer to get underwriter confirmation in writing. HUD program guidance reflects this approach; see the mortgage credit analysis reference.
• Cash reserves: Many lenders want extra reserves when you may carry two payments, sometimes 6 to 12 months as a conservative planning target. See a practical overview of reserve planning in this bridge‑loan explainer.
• Using sale proceeds: Lenders often allow verified sale proceeds for your down payment if your sale will fund in time. Review documentation expectations in this guide to buying and selling at the same time.
• HELOC vs. bridge loan: A HELOC can be set up before listing to tap equity when you need it. The CFPB explains how HELOCs work and their risks in this HELOC guide. A bridge loan is short term and can move faster, but costs more. Compare fees and exit plans using the bridge‑loan primer.
• Rate locks and timelines: Many rate locks run 30 to 60 days and extensions can cost money. If coordinating two closings, budget time and consider float‑down options. See timing basics in this overview on how long it takes to close.
• Appraisal gaps: In competitive offers, some buyers agree to cover an appraisal shortfall. Only do this if you have the cash and a backup plan. Learn the tradeoffs in this guide to buying and selling at once.

Ohio and Franklin County specifics

A few local details can protect your timeline and bottom line.

• Property‑tax proration: Ohio proration customs, auditor updates, and county timing can create post‑closing surprises. It is smart to confirm standard proration language and consider re‑proration options if values are changing. You can read Ohio‑focused legal commentary on proration risks here: Property tax valuation insights.
• Franklin County tools: Use the Franklin County Auditor to check parcel details, tax estimators, and transfer information before finalizing terms.
• Title and recording: Work closely with your title company to align wire cutoffs and deed recording timing. Confirm county transfer and recording expectations early so your coordinated closing stays on track.

Sample timelines that work

Below are three templates sized to Reynoldsburg’s common 3 to 8 week time to contract and typical 30 to 45 day closing window.

Sell‑first plan

• Week 0: Prep and list your home
• Weeks 2 to 6: Target a signed contract based on local pace
• Next 30 to 45 days: Close your sale following the CFPB closing steps
• After closing: Shop and purchase with proceeds, or coordinate a short rent‑back in your sale to bridge the gap

Buy‑first with bridge financing

• Week 0: Get pre‑approved and confirm bridge or HELOC options
• Weeks 1 to 3: Apply and close your bridge loan if needed; expect higher costs for speed
• Weeks 3 to 8: Close on your purchase using a standard 30 to 45 day loan timeline
• List your old home right away and aim to sell within 1 to 3 months; hold reserves for overlapping payments

Contingent offer with kick‑out

• Submit your offer with a 30 to 60 day home‑sale contingency and a clear kick‑out response window
• If your home sells quickly, remove the contingency and proceed
• If not, you can step back without owning two homes

Quick prep checklist

• Get firm pre‑approval and talk through dual‑payment scenarios with at least two lenders. Review timing basics with the CFPB closing guide.
• If you plan to buy first, compare HELOC and bridge‑loan costs and qualification. Start with the CFPB HELOC explainer and a bridge‑loan overview.
• If using a home‑sale contingency, spell out proof and deadlines, and include a kick‑out clause so everyone knows the ground rules.
• Consider a light pre‑inspection and smart prep to reduce surprises and speed appraisal, especially if you need tight closings.
• Loop in your title team early to align target closing dates, wire timing, and the three‑business‑day Closing Disclosure window.
• Check the Franklin County Auditor for tax details and potential levy impacts before you finalize proration language.

Why work with Kim Kovacs and Partners

When you are timing two closings, experience and coordination are everything. Our team is based in Pickerington and serves Reynoldsburg and the east and southeast Columbus suburbs every day. We pair neighborhood‑level insight with disciplined systems and dedicated transaction coordination so your plan stays on schedule.

We measure our results. With lifetime sales near 294 million dollars, more than 1,700 homes sold, and an asking‑price capture rate around 99.5 percent, we bring proven processes and clear communication to every step. Whether you choose sell first, buy first, or a coordinated close, we help you match strategy to your budget and the current pace of your micro‑market.

Ready to map your timeline and budget with local data? Connect with Kim Kovacs and Partners, Coldwell Banker Realty for a custom plan and to get your free home valuation.

FAQs

How long do homes take to sell in Reynoldsburg?

• Recent data through late 2025 suggests many homes go under contract in about 3 to 8 weeks, though pace varies by price point and condition.

What is the safest way to buy and sell at once?

• Selling first often reduces stress if you need sale proceeds for your down payment, since it avoids carrying two mortgages and locks in your exact budget.

When should I consider buying first?

• If you have strong equity and reserves, want a non‑contingent offer, or your target area is moving fast, a buy‑first plan with a bridge loan or HELOC can keep you competitive.

What is a kick‑out clause in a contingency?

• It lets the seller continue to market the home and, if a better offer arrives, gives you a short window to remove your home‑sale contingency or step aside.

How do rate locks affect a coordinated closing?

• Many locks last 30 to 60 days and extensions may cost money, so tight coordination between both transactions is key to avoid lock extensions.

What should a rent‑back include in Ohio?

• Clear start and end dates, rent and deposit amounts, utilities and upkeep, insurance requirements, move‑out condition, and overstay penalties, all documented in writing.