No — that is the entire point of the Buy Before You Sell program. You do not need to sell first. BBYS is specifically designed to break the chicken-and-egg problem that traps many California move-up buyers: you want to buy before you sell, but you need the equity from your sale to fund the purchase.

Why This Matters in California

California’s housing market is highly competitive, particularly in Southern California. Sellers routinely receive multiple offers, and contingent offers — those that depend on the buyer selling their current home — are frequently passed over in favor of cleaner, non-contingent offers. BBYS allows you to make a non-contingent offer with confidence, giving you the same competitive footing as a buyer who has already sold.

What You Need Instead

Rather than needing to have sold your home, you need:

• Sufficient equity in your current home to support the BBYS advance or bridge
• Income that qualifies you for the new purchase mortgage
• A plan to sell your departing residence within the program’s window (typically 6–12 months)

The Sequence

1. Get pre-approved with Lendia for the new purchase
2. Structure the BBYS bridge or equity advance
3. Make a non-contingent offer and close on the new home
4. Move in, prepare your current home for market
5. List and sell your current home within the program window
6. Repay the bridge and pocket remaining equity