Making a move.
Most moves are two transactions and one big life decision. Here’s how I help clients think it through — and carry it out.
When the house no longer fits the family
As a father of four, I’ve lived this one. More kids, more stuff, a home office, a yard that matters — the needs change faster than the house does. The questions are rarely just “how many bedrooms”: which schools and neighborhoods fit the next ten years, how a commute changes daily life, and whether a bigger lot (or an ADU) could serve the family better than a bigger house.
The hardest part is usually the logistics: selling the current home and buying the next one without moving twice. We’ll look at contingent offers, bridge financing options from your lender, sale-then-rent-back arrangements and timing that matches your situation.
Selling and buying at once: your main options
- Sell first, then buy. Least financial risk; you may need a rent-back or short-term rental in between.
- Buy first, then sell. Easiest move; requires carrying two homes or a bridge loan / HELOC — ask your lender what you qualify for.
- Contingent offer. Your purchase depends on your sale. Fewer sellers accept it in competitive markets, so the terms and timing need to be strong.
- Sale with a rent-back. Close your sale but stay for an agreed period while you buy — common and negotiable.
The right choice depends on your equity, loan approval, the market in your target neighborhood and how much uncertainty your household can handle. We’ll map it out together before you list.
Less house, more of what matters
After years in one home, downsizing is a lifestyle, financial and emotional decision all at once. We’ll talk through where you want to live next, single-level and walkable options, how much equity you want to free up, and the timing that works for you and your family — with no pressure to rush.
If your current home has a large lot, it may have development value buyers will pay for. I’ll show you what it could support so you don’t leave money on the table.
From one community to another
Moving from Studio City to Ventura, or from Redondo Beach to Torrance, involves more than finding another house. Housing types, prices, commutes, schools, taxes and daily rhythm all shift. I help you compare communities honestly, coordinate the sale and purchase, and understand the financial implications before you commit — partnering with trusted local agents when a destination is outside my area.
Prop 19 in plain English
Proposition 19 (effective 2021) lets eligible California homeowners — generally those 55 or older, severely disabled, or whose home was lost to a wildfire or natural disaster — transfer their property’s taxable “base year” value to a replacement primary residence anywhere in the state, within two years of the sale, up to three times for those 55+ or severely disabled. If the replacement home costs more than the original, part of the difference is added to the transferred value.
The rules have important details and limits, and eligibility depends on your specific situation. I can help you understand how it may factor into your plans, but I’m not a tax advisor — confirm eligibility and filing requirements with your County Assessor (start with the State Board of Equalization’s Prop 19 page and the LA County Assessor) and a qualified tax professional before deciding.
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