Bridge Loans in Washington, D.C.: How to Unlock Home Equity to Buy Before You Sell

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Are you a homeowner in Washington, D.C., trying to sell your old home while buying a new one? Finding the perfect balance between selling and buying can be tough in a market where inventory is low and prices are high. It can be difficult to juggle the timing and financial details when you’re pressed to sell before you can invest in your new home.

But what if there’s a way to make this process easier? Enter the bridge loan – a short-term financing option. Bridge loans allow you to purchase a new home before selling your current residence, alleviating pressure and uncertainty while unlocking the equity in your current home.

Discover the Innovative Way to Buy Your Next Home Before Selling Your Current Home

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. You can then make a strong offer on your next home with no home sale contingency.

What is a bridge loan, in simple words?

A bridge loan is a short-term loan that allows homeowners to manage the financial gap between selling their current home and purchasing a new one. It leverages the equity in your existing home, providing the money required for the down payment and closing costs for your dream home.

Bridge loans are great because they provide speed and convenience over traditional mortgages. They are also known by several other names, including bridge financing, bridging loans, interim financing, gap financing, and swing loans.

How does a bridge loan work in Washington, D.C.?

Imagine you’re a homeowner in Washington, D.C., and you’ve just found your dream home. The catch? You need to buy this new property before selling your current one. This is where a bridge loan comes into play, acting as a financial bridge between selling your old home and purchasing your new one.

You’ll use the equity from your previous home to cover the down payment and closing costs for your new home. Typically, the lender handling your new mortgage will also manage your bridge loan. The lender will typically mandate that your existing home is listed for sale first, and the bridge loan will be offered for a period between six months to a year.

Lenders will first consider your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). They consider the payments on your current mortgage, the payments for the new home you’re buying, and any interest-only payments on the bridge loan. However, if your old home is already under contract, and the buyer has secured loan approval, your lender might consider only the new mortgage payment in the DTI calculation.

The lender’s primary concern will be if you can comfortably handle payments for both properties, just in case your old home doesn’t sell immediately.

What are the benefits of a bridge loan in Washington, D.C.?

Bridge loans in Washington, D.C. offer several advantages:

  • Make a non-contingent offer: With a bridge loan, you can make a non-contingent offer on your new home, which is often more attractive to sellers.
  • Only one move required: You can move directly from your old home to the new one, avoiding temporary housing.
  • Prepare your old home for sale: After moving out, you can prepare your old home and even consider staging to enhance its market appeal.
  • Potential for no payments during the loan period: Some lenders may not require payments on the bridge loan for a certain period.
  • Quick action on ideal properties: A bridge loan allows you to quickly pursue a property without the sale status of your current home delaying the process.

What are the drawbacks of a bridge loan?

While bridge loans can be a good option for handling the transition between homes, they come with drawbacks that you should keep in mind:

  • Additional loan costs: Expect fees like underwriting and origination fees, adding to the total cost of the loan.
  • Increased financial burden: Covering the payments for two mortgages and a bridge loan simultaneously can be financially challenging.
  • Stricter qualification criteria: Qualifying for a bridge loan might be more demanding than a traditional mortgage.
  • Potential for slower underwriting: The underwriting process for a bridge loan can take longer than anticipated.

Lenders will also assess the equity in your current home when determining your borrowing capacity. Securing a bridge loan might be difficult if your mortgage debt exceeds 80% of your home’s value.

When is a bridge loan a good solution?

Depending on your circumstances, a bridge loan could be exactly what you need:

  • You need the equity from your current home for a down payment for a new home.
  • You can’t afford a double move and interim housing or need to bridge the sale and purchase timelines.
  • Your dream home just hit the market, and you want to act fast to avoid competitive delays.
  • Home sale contingencies have hindered your offers; a bridge loan provides immediate purchasing power. Learn more about home sale contingency.
  • Selling an empty or staged home is easier and potentially more profitable, which is feasible if you move into your new home quickly.

When you cannot prepare or stage your current home for sale while still living in it, a bridge loan can provide the necessary funds and flexibility. This will allow you to vacate your current home, stage it effectively for sale, and potentially achieve a higher selling price.


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