My clients were building a new construction home in Nampa, Idaho, while preparing to sell their waterfront home in Star. Their biggest concern was coordinating the timing of both transactions without feeling rushed. With careful planning, strategic pricing, and marketing that highlighted the property’s waterfront setting, their Star home went pending within just two days at full asking price. They closed on their new Nampa home with several weeks to move before their scheduled November sale.
Why Were My Clients Moving From Star to Nampa?
My clients wanted to move from Star to Nampa to be closer to family.
They already owned a beautiful waterfront home in Star, but being closer to their daughter and grandkids was becoming more important to them.
They knew they wanted to build rather than purchase an existing home, so we started working on a plan to make that happen.
I helped them secure a lot in a Nampa community that was close to family and offered additional privacy with no rear neighbors.
They chose a semi-custom home with a production builder, which gave them the opportunity to personalize some of the features and finishes.
For them, the location was really what made this home the right fit.
How Did I Help Them Through the New Construction Process in Nampa?
I was involved from the beginning, helping them secure their lot, work through builder upgrades, and navigate the construction process.
One of the things we spent time discussing was where it made sense to spend additional money on upgrades and where they could save.
The kitchen was especially important to them because it’s where they spend a lot of their time.
We focused on making that space what they wanted while being thoughtful about upgrades throughout the rest of the home.
I always encourage my new construction buyers to think about two things when selecting upgrades: what will make the home more enjoyable for them and what might make sense for resale down the road.
Not every builder upgrade is worth the additional expense, and those costs can add up quickly.
I helped them evaluate those decisions so they could put more of their budget toward the features that mattered most.
How Did We Coordinate Buying a New Home While Selling Their Existing Home?
Timing was the biggest concern because we needed to coordinate the completion of their new construction home with the sale of their waterfront home in Star.
This is something I talk about with buyers frequently. When you’re building a home and also need to sell your current property, there are a lot of moving pieces.
Construction schedules can change, homes don’t always sell as quickly as expected, and closing dates don’t necessarily line up perfectly.
Fortunately, my clients were in a position where they could qualify for financing on their new home without having to sell their existing home first.
They owned their Star home outright and were pre-approved for a loan on the new construction property.
That gave us some flexibility.
We discussed the timing together and decided to list their Star home approximately 90 days before their new home was expected to be completed.
The goal wasn’t necessarily to have both homes close on the same day.
We wanted to give them enough time to sell their existing home while also allowing for a comfortable move into the new one.
Having that flexibility made a big difference.
How Did We Get Their Waterfront Home in Star Under Contract in Just Two Days?
Their waterfront home in Star went pending within just two days of going live, at full asking price, without any price reductions.
Before listing the property, I reviewed comparable sales in the neighborhood to determine where we should position it in the market.
One of the things that made their home special was its location directly on a pond.
There also weren’t any other homes available in the neighborhood at the time, which was an important factor when we discussed pricing.
Based on the comparable sales, the waterfront setting, and the available inventory, we decided to price the home toward the higher end of the neighborhood market.
Marketing was another important part of our strategy.
I used professional photography, video, and social media to showcase the property, making sure the pond frontage was a major part of how we presented the home.
That turned out to be exactly what attracted the buyer.
The buyer was specifically looking for a waterfront property, and we received a full-price offer within two days of the home going live.
We didn’t have to make any price adjustments.
But there was another important part of negotiating that offer.
We needed the closing date to work with my clients’ new construction timeline.
Rather than simply focusing on the price, I also negotiated timing that would allow them to close on their new home and have several weeks to move before closing on their Star property.
That’s something sellers sometimes overlook. The best offer isn’t always just about the price. The terms and timing can be just as important.
In this case, both worked in our favor.
Why Was Buying Before Selling the Right Strategy for These Clients?
Buying before selling allowed my clients to move into their new home without the pressure of trying to coordinate everything on the same day.
Because they were pre-approved for financing and owned their Star home outright, they didn’t have to rely on the sale proceeds to close on their new construction home.
Their plan was to use the money from the Star sale to pay off the loan on their new home.
That meant we could arrange the two closings several weeks apart.
It was a much more comfortable situation than having to move everything out of one house and into another in a single day.
Of course, this strategy doesn’t work for everyone.
Some buyers need the proceeds from their existing home to qualify for or complete their next purchase.
That’s why I always recommend discussing financing options early and having a backup plan.
Even if you expect your existing home to sell quickly, there are never any guarantees.
In this case, being prepared financially allowed us to focus on the timing that worked best for my clients.
Did We Still Have a Home Inspection on the New Construction Property?
Yes, and I always recommend a home inspection, even on a brand-new home.
My clients had their new construction home inspected before closing.
The inspection identified a few minor items that needed to be addressed by the builder.
I helped coordinate those corrections, and the builder addressed the items before closing.
I also attended the final walkthrough with my clients.
Even with new construction, it’s important to have someone looking out for your interests throughout the process.
Builders have their own timelines and procedures, and I think having an agent involved from the beginning through the final walkthrough is valuable.
How Did Everything Work Out?
My clients successfully closed on their new construction home in Nampa, and their waterfront home in Star went pending within just two days at full asking price.
Their Star home is scheduled to close in November.
Their new home was completed without any major construction delays, and the minor inspection items were addressed before closing.
We also accomplished something that was especially important to them: they didn’t have to rush their move.
By planning ahead, coordinating with their lender, listing their Star home at the right time, and negotiating a closing date that worked for their situation, they were able to move into their new home with several weeks before they needed to be out of their existing property.
And most importantly, they’re now living closer to family, which was the reason for making the move in the first place.
For me, that’s what makes these transactions rewarding.
It’s not just about getting a home sold or helping someone purchase a new one. It’s about understanding what they’re trying to accomplish and putting together a plan to help them get there.
What Would I Recommend If You’re Building a Home and Need to Sell Your Current One?
My biggest recommendation is to figure out your financing and timing before committing to a new construction purchase.
I’ve worked with buyers who have to sell their existing home before they can purchase another one, and I’ve worked with buyers who have the flexibility to purchase first.
Both situations can work, but the strategy may look very different.
If you need to sell first, it’s important to understand how that affects your construction contract, deposit, and closing timeline.
If you can qualify to buy before selling, you may have more flexibility to coordinate the move, but you still need to understand the financial obligations involved.
I would also recommend having a backup plan in case your existing home takes longer to sell than expected.
In this transaction, the Star home went pending within just two days, but we didn’t build our entire plan around assuming that would happen.
We prepared ahead of time, priced the property based on the market, and made sure the clients had financing that allowed them to close on the new home regardless of when their existing property sold.
If you’re thinking about building a new construction home in Nampa, Meridian, Star, or anywhere in the Treasure Valley while selling your current home, I recommend starting that conversation early.
The more planning you can do before construction is completed, the better prepared you’ll be when it’s time to move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a new construction home in Nampa before selling my current home?
Yes, if you’re able to qualify for financing without relying on the sale of your current property. In this transaction, my clients were pre-approved to purchase their new Nampa home before selling their home in Star. That gave them more flexibility with their closing dates and moving schedule.
When should I list my current home if I’m building a new one?
It depends on your construction timeline, local market conditions, and financing. For these clients, we decided to list their Star home approximately 90 days before their anticipated new construction completion date. Their home went pending within two days, but I always recommend having a plan in case the sale takes longer.
Should I have a home inspection on new construction in Idaho?
Yes, I recommend having an independent home inspection even when purchasing a brand-new home. My clients’ inspection uncovered a few minor items that the builder corrected before closing. It’s an important opportunity to identify potential concerns before taking ownership.
Can I negotiate a closing date that gives me more time to move?
Yes, closing dates are often negotiable, depending on the needs of both the buyer and seller. In this transaction, we negotiated timing that allowed my clients to close on their new home several weeks before the scheduled closing of their Star property. That helped make their transition much easier.
Do I need a real estate agent when buying a home from a builder?
You can purchase directly from a builder, but having your own representation can be beneficial. I helped my clients secure their lot, evaluate upgrades, coordinate inspection corrections, and navigate the process through their final walkthrough. My role was to help them make informed decisions throughout the purchase.
About the Author
Tracie McDonald | Realtor® | Homes of Idaho
I’m a local real estate agent serving Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Star, Nampa, and the surrounding Treasure Valley. With 15 years of real estate experience and a background in mortgage lending, I help buyers and sellers navigate new construction, relocation, and the timing of buying and selling homes.
