Local Knowledge. Shore Results.
The morning of closing, my sellers weren't thinking about their own sale going through. They were thinking about whether their buyer's closing would happen on time, because that buyer had to close on the sale of their own house first, that same morning, before they could even get to the table for mine.
That's the part people don't picture when they say they want to sell and buy at the same time. It's not two transactions. It's a line of dominoes, and you're not standing at the front of it.
My clients listed their home in Freehold on December 12th and sold it for $780,000. That same day, January 17th, they closed on their new home in Manahawkin for $870,000. Thirty-six days from list to close, on a sale that also had to line up with a buyer's own closing that same morning and my clients' purchase right behind it. Only once that buyer's sale closed could we close my sellers' sale. Only once that closed could my clients turn around and close on Manahawkin. Three closings, one day, one order, and every single one of them depended on the one before it going right.
Why This Is the Hardest Transaction in Real Estate
Neither sale is hard on its own. What's hard is that your closing date isn't really yours. It belongs to everyone ahead of you in the chain too.
What It Looked Like From Both Sides
Here's what one of my sellers said about getting through it:
"Matt Quinn is an incredibly patient, accommodating and professional real estate agent. In selling our home, Matt coordinated staging, an open house and listing materials to ensure our house had multiple desirable offers right away. Matt kept us informed every step of the way and we always felt confident we were in excellent hands."
And here's what the agent representing the buyer on the other end of that chain said, someone with no reason to be generous if the process hadn't actually gone well:
"Working with Matt was an absolute pleasure. As the seller's agent, he was professional, communicative, and always proactive in ensuring a smooth process for everyone involved. His attention to detail and commitment to his client's best interests were evident, yet he remained collaborative and fair throughout the negotiations."
What Actually Holds a Chain Together
A chain like this doesn't hold together because everyone gets lucky. It holds together because someone is tracking every link in it, staying in contact with the other agents and attorneys, and catching a problem two days before it becomes a Tuesday morning problem instead of on the day itself.
If you're weighing whether to sell and buy at the same time, a few things genuinely help. Get your own sale as far along as you can before you make an offer on the next house, a signed contract carries a lot more weight with a seller than a listing. Ask hard questions about how many links are ahead of you in your buyer's chain, not just whether they have an accepted offer. And work with someone who will actually pick up the phone with the other agents involved instead of waiting for updates to trickle in.
If you're in the middle of a chain like this right now, or thinking about starting one, reach out directly or call (609) 709-2742.
Matt Quinn United Real Estate Associates (609) 709-2742 matt@mattquinnsellshomes.com