How Randi Sold Her Camas Home and Bought in Battle Ground With Coordinated Closings

Can you sell your home and buy another when you need the sale proceeds for your next purchase? For Randi, the solution was coordinating both closings so the proceeds from her Camas home could be used toward her next home in Battle Ground.

With careful timing, clear communication, and help from her agent and lender, she completed the move in December 2020.

Loving a Home That No Longer Worked

Randi loved her Camas home, but the house and property no longer fit what her household needed.

The biggest issue was the yard. Its steep hillside made it difficult to use for kids and dogs, and changing the landscape would have required substantial work and expense.

She wanted a home with more usable outdoor space. But moving brought two big concerns: would they have somewhere to go when their home sold, and would they have the funds to make everything work?

Temporary housing would have stretched an already tight moving budget. They also needed to set aside money and time to prepare their current home for sale.

Building a Plan Around the Sale Proceeds

When we first talked, Randi’s home wasn’t listed, and she hadn’t found her next one. She knew she needed the proceeds from her sale to complete the purchase.

A rent-back wasn’t an option she felt comfortable with because of the potential rent and deposit costs. The plan needed to keep the sale, purchase, and move closely coordinated.

We ultimately worked toward simultaneous closings. Keeping everyone informed about deadlines and what needed to happen next was a big part of bringing the two transactions together.

Getting the Camas Home Ready

Preparing the house took real effort. There was painting to do in a bathroom and the kitchen, kitchen tile to repair, and work needed in both yards.

I worked alongside them on preparation, including mulching, pulling weeds, and painting. For Randi, having that hands-on support made a demanding part of the process more manageable.

We also had direct conversations about the home’s value and what it would take to get it ready for buyers. She needed clear expectations so she could make decisions about both the sale and the purchase.

Expanding the Search After a Disappointment

Initially, Randi wanted to stay in the Camas or Washougal area.

They found a home they were excited about and submitted an offer, but ended up in backup position. That was an emotional setback.

When other homes in their original search area weren’t offering what they needed, they expanded the search to Battle Ground and Ridgefield.

Eventually, they found a Battle Ground property with a shop and a home that needed some work but it was on a sprawling 1 3/4 acre lot. Their offer was accepted and the sellers’ relocation schedule fit the timing they needed.

The search had changed, but they had found a property they were excited to make their own.

Working Through the Financial Timing

Needing the sale proceeds wasn’t the only timing issue. Earnest money for the purchase was due before their current home closed.

Randi worked with her lender and family to arrange those funds, with the lender guiding how that fit into her financing.

Throughout the process, I stayed involved with consistent transaction deadlines and helped her consider options, including different home price points and questions to discuss with her lender.

As Randi shared in the questionnaire:

“I will say that the thing I appreciate MOST about AJ is his direct communication.”

The Result: Keys in Hand

The coordinated closings came together, and Randi completed the move from Camas to Battle Ground.

For her, the moment that captured the outcome was standing on the new front porch with keys in hand and friends around her.

Getting there took preparation, flexibility, and communication through both transactions. Her takeaway was simple:

“There is no hurt in having a conversation about where you are at and where you want to be.”