For Santa Clara County homeowners
Buy your next home before you sell
Line up your next home first, then sell the one you own. Move once, on your timeline. If you're 55 or older, Prop 19 can also let you keep your low property tax.
See how it works in under a minute
Sam and Alex found their next home before selling the one they had. Here's how they did it.
Your 4 options
Most move-up sellers choose one of these. The right one depends on your equity, timing and the market.
Sell first
Simplest. May need a short rental or rent-back.
Contingent offer
Buy only if yours sells. Sellers often prefer offers without it.
Bridge loan
Use your equity now; pay it off when your home sells.
HELOC / 80-10-10
Borrow against your home for the down payment.
How a bridge loan works
Unlock equity
Borrow against your current home.
Buy your next home
Make a strong offer with no sale contingency.
Move once
List your old home empty so it shows its best.
Home sells
The bridge loan and its interest are paid off at closing.
Example: CrossCountry Mortgage bridge loan (October 2026). Your current home must be listed for sale, and your new home loan is with the same lender. No prepayment penalty. Interest builds during the term and is paid when your home sells.
55 or older?
Move and keep your low property tax
California's Prop 19 lets you take your current tax base with you to your next home, anywhere in the state. You qualify if:
- You, or your spouse who lives with you, are 55 or older when you sell.
- Both the home you sell and the one you buy are your main home.
- You buy within 2 years before or after you sell. Buying first still works.
- You've used it fewer than three times.
Until your old home sells, the new one is taxed at its full value. The lower tax base starts once the sale closes. You then file form BOE-19-B with the county assessor within 3 years.
Example: sell a $1.6M home taxed on $400,000, buy first
Spend more than your home sells for and only the difference is added ($1.9M − $1.6M = $300,000). Savings use the 1% base tax rate only. Rules: CA Board of Equalization.
How Chris helps
45-minute timeline consult
Which path fits you, and how to time the sale and the purchase together.
CMA + 10-year valuation
What your current home could sell for, and how much equity you can put to work.
General information only, not a loan offer or tax, legal or financial advice. Rates change daily and aren't shown; standard closing costs apply. All loans are subject to credit approval; terms and eligibility can change; not available in all states. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender. Prop 19 summary from the California State Board of Equalization and the Santa Clara County Assessor, checked October 2026; confirm your eligibility with your county assessor or a tax professional. Examples are illustrative; savings leave out voter-approved bonds and assessments. Christopher Renois, REALTOR®, CA DRE #02030130 · Real Estate Experts | Side · 910 E Hamilton Ave, Suite 130, Campbell, CA 95008.
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