The Short Answer
To buy and sell at the same time in Central Florida, you list your current home first, negotiate a contract with a closing date you control, then write your purchase offer with a matching or slightly later closing. Most people either close both on the same day or stay in the sold home for a few days under a post-closing occupancy agreement.
Four Ways to Line Up the Two Deals
There's no single right order. The best choice depends on how much equity you need from the sale, whether you can carry two mortgage payments, and how tight inventory is in the neighborhood you're buying into.
| Approach | Best when | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sell first, then buy | You need sale proceeds for the down payment | Short-term housing gap |
| Buy first, then sell | You qualify for both payments | Two payments at once |
| Close both the same day | Timing and lenders cooperate | One delay stalls both |
| Sell with a rent-back | Your buyer is flexible | Buyer's lender may limit it |
Sell first, then buy
You take the strongest position as a buyer because your offer carries no home sale contingency. The trade-off is where you live between closings. Some sellers stay with family for a few weeks, some sign a short lease, and some negotiate extra time in the home after closing. In a market with limited inventory, this approach usually wins the house.
Buy first, then sell
This works if a lender will approve you carrying both mortgages, or if you can use a HELOC drawn on your current home before it's listed. You move once, which is a real quality-of-life advantage. You're also carrying two sets of payments, taxes and insurance until the first home closes, so build a cushion for at least sixty days.
Close both on the same day
The classic simultaneous close. Your sale funds in the morning, the proceeds wire to the second closing that afternoon, and you move once. It requires both title companies and both lenders to stay on schedule. Build in a buffer by setting the purchase closing one or two days after the sale rather than the same hour.
Sell with a post-closing occupancy agreement
Florida contracts allow the seller to stay in the property for a set number of days after closing, usually with a daily rate and a security deposit. Under fifteen days, most buyer lenders treat it as a short-term arrangement rather than a tenancy. It's the cleanest fix for a small timing gap, and it costs far less than moving twice.
A Timeline That Works in Central Florida
Plan on roughly 60 to 90 days from listing to keys in hand. Prep and photos take a week. Showings and offers vary by price point and area. A financed buyer typically needs 30 to 45 days to close, cash closes faster. Start your purchase search once your home is under contract and the inspection period has passed.
Where the schedule usually slips
Appraisals that come in low, insurance quotes on older roofs, and survey or permit issues are the three most common delays in this market. Roof age matters more than most sellers expect, since Florida insurers often decline coverage on shingle roofs past a certain age. Ask about that early, not two weeks before closing.
What Documents You Need to Sell a House in Florida
Florida sellers generally need the deed, a recent mortgage payoff statement, a photo ID, the property survey if you have one, HOA or condo documents, permits and warranties for past work, and the signed seller disclosure. Title and closing paperwork gets prepared by the closing agent. Gathering these before listing prevents the last-minute scramble.
At listing time
- Recorded deed or title policy from your purchase
- Current mortgage statement and payoff contact
- HOA or condo association name, dues and contact
- Survey, elevation certificate and flood zone information
- Permits, roof and HVAC documentation, warranties
- Florida seller's property disclosure
At the closing table
The closing agent prepares the new deed, the settlement statement, the bill of sale for anything conveying with the house, the FIRPTA affidavit, and the lien and possession affidavit. You'll bring government-issued photo ID. If you're married, Florida homestead law usually requires both spouses to sign, even if only one name is on the deed.
How Much It Costs to Sell a House in Florida
Expect total seller costs in the range of 6 to 9 percent of the sale price in most Central Florida transactions. The largest pieces are real estate commission, which is negotiable, and in many Orange, Lake and Osceola County deals, the owner's title insurance policy and documentary stamp tax on the deed.
The line items to budget for
- Real estate commission, negotiated and stated in your listing agreement
- Documentary stamp tax on the deed, $0.70 per $100 of sale price
- Owner's title insurance, promulgated rate, customarily seller-paid in Central Florida
- Title and settlement fees, estoppel letter if you have an HOA
- Prorated property taxes through the closing date
- Mortgage payoff, including any recording of the satisfaction
- Repairs negotiated after inspection, and any seller credits
Costs people forget
Estoppel letters from an association carry a statutory fee. Municipal lien searches run a modest amount per property. If you agreed to a rent-back, the daily rate comes out of your proceeds. And if you're buying at the same time, your purchase has its own costs, so run both net sheets side by side before you commit to a price.
Local Notes on Orlando, Ocoee, Winter Garden and Clermont
Each submarket moves at its own pace. Winter Garden and Clermont draw buyers who want newer construction and good schools, which can mean more competition on your purchase side. Ocoee and parts of Orlando often turn over faster at mid-range price points. Timing your listing against local inventory, not a statewide headline, is what makes a double move work.
Working With a Team That Handles Both Sides
Coordinating two contracts is a scheduling problem as much as a sales one. The Alcime Group has spent 19 years in Central Florida real estate and closed 190+ homes, with a 5.0 rating across 127 Google reviews and recognition in the top 2% of REALTORS® in the greater Orlando area. We work in English and Spanish, with eXp Realty, from 401 S Rosalind Ave in downtown Orlando.
Reach out before you list, not after. The sequencing decisions that matter most get made early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make an offer on a new home before mine sells?
Yes, with a home sale contingency, though sellers in competitive Central Florida neighborhoods often pass on contingent offers. Your position improves significantly once your current home is under contract and past the inspection period. At that point the contingency is about a closing date, not a hypothetical buyer.
What happens if my sale closes but my purchase falls through?
You'd need temporary housing and a place to store belongings. This is why many sellers negotiate a post-closing occupancy agreement or build a short gap into the schedule. Keep a backup plan written down before you sign the sale contract, including a storage estimate and a short-term rental option.
Who pays for title insurance in Central Florida?
In Orange, Lake and most surrounding counties, the seller customarily pays for the owner's title insurance policy and selects the closing agent. It's customary, not a law, so it can be negotiated in the contract. The rate itself is set by the state, so shopping around won't change the premium much.
How long can I stay in my house after closing?
It's negotiable with your buyer and usually runs a few days to a few weeks. Agreements of fifteen days or fewer are simpler for most buyer lenders to approve. Expect to pay a daily rate and leave a deposit that's refunded once the buyer confirms the home was left in the agreed condition.
Do I need a survey to sell my house in Florida?
A survey isn't required by law, but the buyer's lender and title company will often want a current one. If you have your original survey and nothing has changed, it may still be usable. Otherwise, whoever the contract names will order a new one, typically the buyer.