Buying and Selling a House at the Same Time: Budget Scenarios Explained
May 23, 2025

Are You About to Juggle a House Sale and a New Purchase?
You're not alone. Every day, thousands of people across the UK make the leap – selling one home while buying the next. It sounds straightforward... until you try to budget for it.
What if your sale falls through? What if your new home costs more than expected? What about stamp duty, solicitor fees, and the dreaded overlap period?
You want clarity. Confidence. Control. And you're in the right place.
The Real Question Most People Don't Ask
Forget "how much is the new house?" The real question is:
"How much cash will I have to put in – or will I have anything left over?"
This isn’t just about getting the maths right. It’s about making the smartest move for your life, your family, and your future wealth.
Meet the UK Property Move Calculator
We've built a free tool to help you instantly model different scenarios:
What if your current home sells for less than expected?
What if your dream home ends up costing a little more?
What if stamp duty eats more of your deposit than you thought?
Use the sliders or type in your figures manually. Watch how the numbers shift.
Use the Calculator Now →
3 Common Scenarios (and What They Actually Cost)
🏡 Scenario 1: Upsizing with Extra Cash to Invest
Current Home Sale Price: £350,000
New Home Purchase: £500,000
Borrowing Capacity: £200,000
Stamp Duty: £15,000+
Reality Check: You might need to inject £60,000+ just to cover the gap. That includes stamp duty and moving costs. Our calculator shows you exactly how.
🏠 Scenario 2: Budget Creep When You Find "The One"
Original plan: £450,000 home
Your heart falls for: £475,000 home
Impact: A £25,000 bump might cost you more than you think. Stamp duty increases. Loan-to-value changes. The knock-on effects are real. Play it out in the calculator first.
🧳 Scenario 3: Sale Falls Short by £20,000
Expected £400,000
Final offer: £380,000