Work Hard Mortgage Buy Before You Sell
Buy Before You Sell

Buy Your Next Home Before Selling Your Current One

Use your current home’s equity, reduce the impact of your existing mortgage payment, and make a stronger offer on your next home—without having to move twice.

Explore your options with no pressure and no obligation.

Two possible solutions

  • Access equity for your next down payment
  • Reduce your DTI when you already have the cash you need

Buying Before You Sell Can Feel Almost Impossible

Many homeowners find the right next home before their current home has sold. That can create several problems:

  • You may need the equity from your current home for the next down payment.

  • Your current mortgage payment may make it harder to qualify.

  • A home-sale contingency may make your offer less competitive.

  • Selling first could leave you needing temporary housing.

  • Moving twice can add stress, expense, and inconvenience.

Our Buy Before You Sell options are designed to help solve those problems so you can make your next move with greater confidence.

Answer a few questions to see which option may fit your situation.

Two Ways We May Be Able to Help

The right option depends on whether you need access to your current home’s equity or simply need help qualifying while you still own the home.

Work Hard Mortgage helps you evaluate, structure, and finance your next purchase. Certain Equity Unlock and home-sale guarantee services are provided by approved third-party program partners, subject to their approval and agreements.

Equity Unlock

Best for homeowners who need equity from their current home.

Through an approved program partner, this option may allow you to access a portion of the equity in your current home before it sells. The funds can then be used toward the down payment and closing costs on your next home.

Benefits

  • Buy your next home before selling your current one
  • Use available equity toward your next down payment
  • Make an offer without a home-sale contingency
  • Move once instead of twice
  • List your former home after you have moved out
  • Potentially use available funds for eligible repairs, staging, or related costs
  • Home sale backup protection may be available

Important program information

  • • Equity access may be available up to applicable program limits.
  • • The amount available depends on the property, existing liens, estimated value, and program approval.
  • • The Equity Unlock is repaid from the proceeds when the current home sells.
  • • Program fees and minimums apply.
  • • Property and borrower eligibility requirements apply.

DTI Drop

Best for homeowners who already have enough cash for the next purchase.

If you do not need to access your home equity, this option may provide a backup purchase agreement that allows an eligible lender to exclude your current mortgage obligation from the debt-to-income calculation.

Benefits

  • Potentially reduce the effect of your current mortgage payment on qualification
  • Buy before your current home sells
  • Make a stronger offer without a home-sale contingency
  • Avoid temporary housing
  • Move once
  • Keep the opportunity to sell your current home on the open market

Important program information

  • • This option does not provide cash from your current home.
  • • You must have sufficient funds for the new home’s down payment and closing costs.
  • • The current home generally must be listed and sold within the applicable program period.
  • • Program fees, inspection costs, minimums, and eligibility requirements apply.

Which Option May Fit Your Situation?

Need access to current home equity

Equity Unlock

Yes

DTI Drop

No

May help reduce the current mortgage’s impact on DTI

Equity Unlock

Yes, when structured with the full program

DTI Drop

Yes

May allow a non-contingent offer

Equity Unlock

Yes

DTI Drop

Yes

Can buy before selling

Equity Unlock

Yes

DTI Drop

Yes

Uses borrower’s own cash for next purchase

Equity Unlock

Not necessarily

DTI Drop

Yes

Backup home sale protection

Equity Unlock

May be included

DTI Drop

May be included

Program fee

Equity Unlock

Higher fee because equity is advanced

DTI Drop

Lower fee because no equity is advanced

Not sure which one fits? That is exactly what the Home Plan Quiz is designed to help us determine.

Answer a few questions to see which option may fit your situation.

How the Equity Unlock Process Works

1

Create Your Home Plan

Complete the Home Plan Quiz so we can understand your current home, estimated equity, timeline, and next-home goals.

2

Review Your Options

A Work Hard Mortgage loan advisor reviews your information and determines whether the program may fit your situation.

3

Determine Available Equity

The property is reviewed to determine eligibility and how much equity may be available.

4

Buy Your Next Home

If approved, available equity can be used toward the next home’s down payment and eligible closing costs. You may then be able to make an offer without a home-sale contingency.

5

Sell Your Former Home

After moving, your Realtor lists and sells the former home. At closing, the Equity Unlock amount and applicable program fees are repaid from the sale proceeds. The remaining proceeds are disbursed to the homeowner.

Answer a few questions to see which option may fit your situation.

How DTI Drop Works

1

Confirm Your Cash

You already have sufficient cash for the new home’s down payment and closing costs.

2

Property Review

Your current home is reviewed for program eligibility.

3

Backup Purchase Agreement

Subject to lender and program approval, a backup purchase agreement may allow the mortgage lender to exclude the current home’s mortgage obligation from the qualifying debt-to-income calculation.

4

Close on Your New Home

You close on your new home and move.

5

List & Sell

Your Realtor lists and sells your former home on the open market.

6

Fee Through Escrow

When the home sells, the applicable program fee and inspection fee are collected through escrow.

The goal is still to sell your home normally. The backup purchase agreement is there to provide greater certainty if the home does not sell during the program period.

Answer a few questions to see which option may fit your situation.

What Happens If the Current Home Does Not Sell?

The goal is for your current home to sell on the open market through your chosen real estate agent.

If the home does not sell within the applicable program period, an approved program partner may purchase the property under the terms of the backup purchase agreement.

After the home is purchased, it may be listed and resold to a third-party buyer. Depending on the specific program agreement, the homeowner may receive the remaining net proceeds after subtracting items such as:

  • Existing mortgage and other recorded liens
  • Program fees
  • Real estate commissions
  • Property taxes
  • Homeowners insurance
  • Utilities
  • HOA dues
  • Interest or financing expenses
  • Closing and settlement costs
  • Maintenance and property management expenses
  • Other documented costs associated with owning and selling the home

The exact purchase price, payoff amount, fees, ownership costs, and distribution of resale proceeds will be stated in the borrower’s specific program agreement.

What Does the Program Cost?

The cost depends on which option is used.

Equity Unlock

Current program materials indicate a program fee of approximately 2.4% of the final sale price of the departing residence. Minimums may apply when the final sale price is below certain thresholds. Additional fees and costs may apply. The Equity Unlock amount is repaid from the departing-home sale proceeds.

DTI Drop

Current program materials indicate a program fee of approximately 1% of the final sale price of the departing residence, with a current minimum fee of $5,000. An inspection fee and other transaction costs may also apply.

These are current program examples for general planning purposes only. Fees, minimums, eligibility requirements, and program terms may change. We will confirm the applicable terms before you decide whether to proceed.

Who May Be a Good Fit?

Potentially a good fit

  • Homeowners who want to purchase before selling
  • Homeowners with sufficient equity in their current residence
  • Borrowers who want to avoid a home-sale contingency
  • Borrowers who want to move once
  • Borrowers whose departing and incoming homes will generally be owner-occupied
  • Borrowers willing to list and actively market the departing residence
  • Borrowers whose property meets applicable condition and eligibility standards

May not be a fit

  • Properties with major unfinished construction or significant unresolved repairs
  • Certain manufactured, mobile, modular, mixed-use, condo-hotel, or non-warrantable properties
  • Properties with unresolved title, lien, ownership, bankruptcy, or foreclosure issues
  • Certain financing types or ownership structures
  • Homes outside applicable property value, size, acreage, or marketability requirements

Eligibility is based on the complete borrower and property profile. Do not assume you are ineligible before speaking with us.

Answer a few questions to see which option may fit your situation.

A Home Plan, Not Just Another Loan

Buying and selling at the same time involves more than finding a mortgage rate. We help coordinate the financing strategy, equity needs, timing, qualification, and sale of the departing residence.

Personalized Planning

We compare the available paths and help determine which one makes the most financial and practical sense.

Clear Numbers

We review estimated cash needs, equity, monthly payments, fees, and potential sale proceeds.

Strong Communication

We coordinate with the borrower, real estate agents, title company, lender, and applicable program partners.

No-Pressure Guidance

Completing the Home Plan Quiz does not obligate the visitor to use the program or obtain a mortgage.

Answer a few questions to see which option may fit your situation.

Find Out What Buying Before You Sell Could Look Like for You

Every situation is different. Your available equity, current mortgage balance, income, next-home price, timeline, and property condition all affect which strategy may work.

Complete the Home Plan Quiz and a Work Hard Mortgage advisor will review:

  • Your current home and estimated value
  • Your existing mortgage balance
  • How much cash or equity may be available
  • Your target purchase price
  • Whether DTI Drop or Equity Unlock may fit
  • Estimated monthly payments
  • Potential program fees
  • Your next steps

Takes only a few minutes. No commitment required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Next Home May Be Closer Than You Think

You do not necessarily have to sell first, move twice, or make your next offer contingent on the sale of your current home.

Let us build a personalized plan based on your home, equity, income, and goals.

No obligation. No pressure. Just a clearer plan.

Program availability, eligibility, equity access, home sale guarantees, fees, and terms may vary. Certain program services may be provided through approved third-party partners. This is not a commitment to lend. Additional conditions and restrictions apply.

Buy Before You Sell, Equity Unlock, DTI Drop, and home sale guarantee programs are subject to borrower, property, lender, investor, and program-provider approval. Program availability and terms vary. Fees, minimums, inspections, repairs, listing requirements, property restrictions, and deadlines may apply. Certain services may be fulfilled through approved third-party providers. Work Hard Mortgage does not guarantee approval, a specific equity amount, a specific sale price, or that a home will sell within a particular period. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend, an offer to purchase property, or legal, tax, or financial advice.

Work Hard Mortgage is a DBA of Work Harding Home Mortgage Team, LLC. NMLS #2396714. Licensed Mortgage Broker in Utah, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho, Texas, and Alaska. 24 W Main Street Suite 203, Lehi, UT 84043.

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