Selling Your Old Home Before Moving into Your New One: How to Plan the Timeline?

When selling your current home and planning the move to a new one, you are managing two interlinked workflows. Preparing the new property, showing the current home and moving your belongings all affect one another. Rather than assuming they will all be completed on the same day, write down the dependencies.

Three lists of dates

Preparation: Gathering documents, maintenance, photography and finalising the property description.

Viewings: Viewing times, sharing information and decision-making discussions.

Handover: Preparing belongings, organising services and agreed handover tasks.

These can be viewed on the same calendar; however, each should have a separate person in charge and a separate basis. Do not treat an unconfirmed date as a firm commitment.

Which task should be completed first?

Moving belongings may not be appropriate whilst maintenance work is ongoing at the new home. Stacking boxes in rooms before the property has been filmed may make the presentation difficult. First, identify the interdependent tasks, then prioritise them. Leave a flexible window for preparation and the viewing.

Scope of belongings

Separate items to be moved, those to be left behind, and those to be decided upon later. Do not assume that an appliance visible in the viewing is automatically included in the sale. Clearly state the scope of fixed and movable items. Check that the photographs do not contradict this arrangement.

Alternatives if the plan changes

Identify feasible scenarios in the event of delays to the removal or maintenance dates. Temporary storage or phased completion of tasks may be considered. Find out the conditions for each option in advance. Do not cram tasks that depend on others into a single date.

Final checklist

Key items, controls, equipment details and tasks to be completed should be listed separately. Consult the relevant specialist regarding delivery terms and contract dates. This guide does not guarantee adherence to the work schedule; its aim is to highlight tasks that might otherwise be overlooked.

This content is for information purposes only.

Further reading

You can find further information on this topic in the guide Moving Day Checklist and Questions to Ask When Choosing a Removal Company.