Should I Sell First or Buy First When Moving in Alberta?

Short answer: Sell first if certainty matters most and you have somewhere to stay in between. Buy first if your finances are strong, your home will sell easily or you’re buying a new build with a long closing. Most people overlap: list, shop, and line up closing dates, using bridge financing to cover a short gap. In a hot market buying first feels safer. In a slow market selling first reduces risk.

Option 1: Sell First

Pros: you know exactly how much you have, no risk of two mortgages, less financial stress.

Cons: you may need to rent or stay with family, you might feel rushed, and prices could rise while you’re in between.

Best for: buyers who want certainty and have flexible housing options.

Option 2: Buy First

Pros: time to find the right home, no pressure to accept a low offer, one move.

Cons: you may need to qualify carrying two mortgages, more risk if your home sells slowly, double carrying costs.

Best for: strong finances, significant equity, an easy to sell home, or a new build with a long closing window.

Option 3: Overlap

List and shop at the same time, accept an offer with a closing date that lines up with your purchase, and use bridge financing for any gap. One move, access to your equity and balanced risk, but it needs careful coordination.

→ Read more: Buying and Selling at the Same Time

How the Market Changes the Answer

• Seller’s market: your home sells fast, so buying first is less risky. Conditional offers are less competitive.
• Buyer’s market: selling first reduces risk and you have more negotiating power on the purchase.

Qualification Matters

If you buy first, lenders look at whether you can carry both mortgages, your other debts and income, and whether your sale is firm.

Your Next Step

We’ll review your finances, timeline and goals and help you pick the path. Book a call.

This article is general information, not personal financial advice. Rates, rules and programs change. Talk to a licensed mortgage broker about your situation. Lacroix Mortgage Group is licensed and powered by Mortgage Connection Inc.