Planning your next move

Should you sell first or buy first?

Compare the money, timing and risk of selling first, lining up both settlements or buying before your home sells.

Your entries stay in your browser. Check the real figures with your lender and lawyer before making an offer.

Add your figures

Try a lower and higher sale price so you can see how much the result may change. Figures from your selling-cost tool are restored automatically.

Expected sale priceUse scenarios, not an agent's highest appraisal figure.Mortgage repayment amountAsk your lender for the amount, including any relevant fees.Total selling and moving costsInclude commission, marketing, legal, preparation and moving allowances.Possible next-home priceThis is a planning figure, not a spending limit or pre-approval.Buying and moving-in costsAllow for legal work, reports, moving and immediate work you expect.Other cash availableExclude sale proceeds; those are calculated separately.

Possible next-home settlement dateCopy this from the purchase agreement if one exists. Leave it blank while exploring.Planned moving dateUse the practical moving date, which may differ from settlement.

LOWER TIMING RISK

Sell first

You know the sale result before committing to the next purchase. The trade-off may be a longer settlement, temporary accommodation or moving twice.

Ask: where would we live if the dates do not overlap?

COORDINATION HEAVY

Align settlements

The sale and purchase settle on coordinated dates. This can reduce temporary funding, but both agreements, conditions and moving plans need to line up.

Ask: which dates and conditions must each agreement protect?

HIGHER FUNDING RISK

Buy first

You secure the next home before the current one sells. The funding-before-sale figure above shows the amount that may need covering until sale proceeds arrive.

Ask: what happens if the sale is late or lower than expected?

Where this information comes from

Official New Zealand guidance checked on 13 August 2026.