Loan Programs · Construction, renovation, and bridge

Buy your next home before you sell

Timing a sale and a purchase perfectly is hard. A bridge loan lets you use equity in your current home to buy the next one first. That can mean a stronger offer, without a home sale contingency, and only one move.

Bridge Loans explained

A bridge loan is short-term financing secured by your current home, your new home, or both. It gives you access to equity before your current home sells, which you can use for the down payment and closing costs on your next home. When your current home sells, the bridge loan is paid off. Bridge loans are usually measured in months and can be structured in different ways depending on the lender, and all are subject to credit approval and program guidelines.

Who it fits

  • Move-up buyers in Boca Raton, Parkland and Coral Springs who want to buy first
  • Seasonal residents buying in Florida before selling a home up north
  • Buyers competing against offers without a home sale contingency
  • Downsizers moving into a condo or 55+ community before selling the family home

Florida specifics

  • Many South Florida buyers are relocating from the Northeast or Midwest and own a home there. Some bridge programs can use equity in an out-of-state home, depending on the lender.
  • South Florida's busy season runs through winter and spring, and buying before you sell can help you act when the right home comes up.
  • Your new lender will need to account for both housing payments, or for the bridge structure, when qualifying you.
  • If you are moving into a new primary home in Florida, you can apply for the homestead exemption there once you live in it.

How it works with Justin

  1. We review the equity in your current home and your plans for the next purchase.
  2. We compare a bridge loan with alternatives such as a HELOC or a sale-leaseback.
  3. You close on the bridge financing and use the funds toward your new home.
  4. When your current home sells, the bridge loan is paid off from the proceeds.

Documents to gather

  • Mortgage statement for your current home
  • Listing agreement or sale contract for your current home, if available
  • Purchase contract for your new home
  • Income and asset documentation
  • Homeowners insurance for both properties

Things to consider

  • Bridge loans cost more than long-term financing and often include fees.
  • If your current home takes longer to sell, you carry two housing payments.
  • A drop in your current home's value can make it harder to pay off the bridge loan.
  • A HELOC opened before you list may be a lower-cost alternative for some buyers.

Share a few details and Justin will tell you whether Bridge Loan fits, with real numbers for your loan.

Bridge Loans: common questions

How does a bridge loan work?

It uses equity in your current home to fund the down payment on your next one before you sell. When the current home sells, the sale proceeds pay off the bridge loan.

How long does a bridge loan last?

Bridge loans are short-term, usually several months to about a year, depending on the lender. The goal is to cover the time between buying and selling.

Can I use a bridge loan if my current home is outside Florida?

Possibly. It depends on the lender and where the property is. We look at the options for your specific situation.

Is a HELOC better than a bridge loan?

A HELOC can cost less if you set it up before listing your home, since many lenders will not open one on a listed property. A bridge loan can be more flexible on timing. We compare both.

Do I have to qualify for both payments?

Often, the lender needs to see that you can handle both housing payments for a period, though some bridge structures account for the coming sale. Guidelines vary by lender.

Related loan programs

  • HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) — Home equity lines of credit for South Florida homeowners: borrow against equity while keeping your first mortgage. Draw and repayment periods explained.
  • Jumbo Loans — Jumbo mortgages for South Florida homes above the 2026 conforming limit of $832,750 in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade. Reserves, condos and more.
  • Conventional Loans — Conventional home loans for South Florida buyers and owners: 2026 conforming limits for Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade, down payment and PMI basics.
  • Construction Loans — Home construction loans in South Florida: one-time close and construction-to-perm options, builder approval, draws and Florida Building Code planning.

South Florida areas where it fits

Guides on this topic

See all 21 loan programs, mortgage loans in Florida, or every state where Justin lends.

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