Buy Your Next Home Before Selling—Without the Stress
Unlock your equity or drop your DTI with LendFriend’s Buy Before You Sell program. Secure your next home first—no sale contingencies, no double moves, no pressure to rush your listing.
What Is LendFriend's Buy Before You Sell Program?
LendFriend’s Buy Before You Sell program helps homeowners make their next move without juggling two closings or settling for a below market price because they have to rush to sell.
We offer two flexible options:
Equity Unlock
If you need access to your existing equity to buy your next home, the Equity Unlock option uses a short-term bridge loan to free up as much as 80% of your current home’s value. Those proceeds can be used toward your down payment, closing costs, or to strengthen your offer on the new home. You’ll purchase first, move once, and list your old home afterward—on your schedule.
DTI Drop
If your main challenge is qualifying for the mortgage on your new home while still carrying your current mortgage, DTI Drop is designed for you. The DTI Drop allows LendFriend to exclude your current mortgage from your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, allowing you to qualify for your new purchase without selling. You’ll still list and sell your current home after closing, but the program gives you breathing room to buy your next home.
Why Relocating Homebuyers Trust LendFriend
At LendFriend Mortgage, we help homeowners and families make their next move without financial stress or sale contingencies through our Buy Before You Sell program. Whether you’re upgrading, relocating, or simply ready for more space, our expert team structures financing that lets you buy first and sell later—on your timeline.
Unlike companies such as Homeward or UpEquity that charge up to 3% to access their products, LendFriend delivers a faster, more transparent, and personalized experience. We don’t charge hidden platform fees or force you into rigid listing timelines. Every program is designed to fit your pace—not ours.
✅ No monthly payments during the bridge period
✅ No contingent offers slowing your purchase
✅ No pressure to sell fast to avoid penalty fees
Our bridge financing gives you breathing room while your current home is listed or under contract, and our DTI Drop option helps qualified borrowers strengthen their purchasing power without double housing costs.
Whether you’re moving across from California to Texas, from one home in Austin to another or across the country, LendFriend helps you buy your next home before selling your current one—without compromise.
Read Why Relocating Homebuyers Call Us The Best Mortgage Broker
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I had an exceptional experience with LendFriend Mortgage! From start to finish, the team made the process smooth, transparent, and stress-free. They took the time to explain every detail, answered all my questions promptly, and ensured I felt confident every step of the way. The customer service was outstanding—friendly, professional, and genuinely focused on helping me get the best possible rate. My closing was quick and seamless, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I highly recommend LendFriend Mortgage, Eric, and Chelsey to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy lender!
Katja
Closed August 2025 -
Wow my husband and I were truly impressed with how easy the LendFriend team made our home buying experience. Eric and his team took extra care in explaining and outlining each step -- a real customer first experience. On top of that, each member of the team was incredibly knowledgeable, organized, and responsive; resulting in an expeditious close! The website promise of working around the clock to support you is 100% factual, we had staff answering questions late night and weekends. The entire team was a real pleasure to work with, so if you are looking for a mortgage broker look no further, LendFriend is the team for you! They will give you peace of mind, get you the best rates, and make you feel confident when buying your home :)
Sarah Carr
Closed May 2025 -
I have purchased 8 houses in 23 years and have never had an easier closing. Eric and his team have streamlined the process and were a pleasure to work with. They also saved us a lot of money on closing. I highly recommend LendFriend and his team.
April Magnia
Closed August 2025 -
LendFriend is the only place to go for mortgage brokerage services. Their unparalleled technical knowledge, relationships with a wide array of lenders, and outstanding service make them the absolute best place to secure your next mortgage.
Robert Daake
Closed March 2025 -
We had so many questions while navigating the sale of one home and purchasing another. The team at LendFriend answered them all in a quick and easy to understand manner. They made this stressful time very manageable and were with us every step of the way!
Karen Holland
Closed November 2024 -
Highly recommend LendFriend!!! As daunting as the process can be to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan, the entire team was great that we worked with that got us to the finish line. Each team member helped us in clearly communicating each step to ensure every step was smooth, in addition being available for a quick call to walk through our questions and concerns when needed. LendFriend was also very competitive with rates and dropped our interest rate last minute right before we closed! They got the job done and made it as stress free as possible.
Ingrid Eichenberger
Closed December 2024
How does LendFriend make buying and moving into a new home easier?
Stronger Negotiating Position when Buying a Home
Our Buy Before You Sell Bridge Loan Program eliminates the need for a sale contingency, helping you make a stronger, more competitive offer when buying your next home. In Texas markets like Austin, Houston, and Dallas, this can make the difference between winning or losing the deal—especially when inventory is tight.
Get the Highest and Best Sale Price
With a bridge loan, you don’t have to rush your sale or accept the first lowball offer. You can take the time to stage your home professionally, market it effectively, and attract stronger buyer interest. Staging allows buyers to imagine themselves in the space—and homes that show well often sell faster and for more money. It’s a smart way to maximize equity without the pressure to move out immediately.
Reduced Stress
Trying to buy a house in San Antonio while selling one in Miami? Or moving from Denver to Houston? Our Equity Unlock and DTI Drop loan products give you breathing room. You can move into your new home first, then prepare your current property for sale on your own timeline. That means no juggling temporary housing, double closings, or weekend moves—just a smoother, stress-free transition.
Time for Improvements
Bridge financing allows you to make necessary renovations, updates, or repairs to your current home before listing it. Whether you want to repaint, remodel, or improve curb appeal, a bridge loan gives you the breathing room to enhance your property’s value—without the pressure of having to sell immediately.
Want to Learn More about Buy Before You Sell?
Talk to our co-founder, Eric Bernstein, today!
FAQs When Buying A New House Before You Sell
What are the fees for DTI Drop, and how does it differ from a bridge loan?
The DTI Drop program is for borrowers who don’t need their home’s equity but can’t qualify for a new mortgage while still carrying their current one. Instead of lending cash, this option temporarily removes your existing mortgage from your debt-to-income ratio through a home sale guarantee.
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Program fee: 1% of the final sale price of your departing residence (minimum $5,000). A MASSIVE Discount from the 3.5% charged by Homeward.
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Inspection fee: $900, paid when your home sells
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Timeline: You’ll have up to 120 days after closing on your new home to sell your old one
Example:
If your home sells for $800,000, your program fee would be $8,000 (1% of the sale price). If it sold for $400,000, the minimum $5,000 fee would apply.
The DTI Drop structure allows you to qualify for your new loan now while ensuring you still sell your existing home at full market value — a useful strategy for relocation buyers or anyone facing tight purchase timelines.
What is the term bridge loan under the Equity Unlock Program before I need to sell my current home?
Most bridge loans are designed for short-term use and the term can vary based on what state your current home is located in.
If your home is located in Texas, the term is up to 120 days.
If your bridge loan is in any other state, whether North Carolina, Florida or California, the term is up to 12 months.
That window gives you time to list and sell your current property without rushing or taking a low offer.
The Buy Before You Sell program through LendFriend helps you secure financing for your new home now while allowing a flexible timeline for the sale of your existing one.
Do I have to make payments on my bridge loan right away?
Not with LendFriend. We offer no-payment bridge loans — meaning you will defer payments until your existing home sells. Interest accrues during this time, but it can be rolled into the loan balance to help preserve your cash flow during the move and focus on just making the mortgage payments on your new home. Any interest due will be taken from sale proceeds.
This flexibility makes bridge loans especially useful for relocating professionals who are buying before their old home closes.
Can I qualify for a bridge loan if I already have a mortgage on my current home?
Yes. You don’t need to own your home free and clear to qualify. Lenders look at your combined loan-to-value (CLTV) — usually allowing borrowing up to 80% of your home’s value (including your existing mortgage).
Example:
If your home is worth $800,000 and you still owe $400,000, you could borrow up to $640,000 (80% of the value). That would leave about $240,000 available for your down payment or purchase of your next home.
Learn more in our guide to bridge loans and how they compare to HELOCs or other short-term financing options.
Is a bridge loan only for single-family homes?
Not at all. Bridge loans can also be used for townhomes, condos, and multi-unit properties depending on lender guidelines.
If you’re purchasing a property in a competitive market like Austin or Dallas, a bridge loan can make your offer stronger by removing the need for a home sale contingency.
How is a bridge loan different from a home equity line of credit (HELOC)?
Both products tap into your home’s equity, but they serve very different goals.
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A bridge loan is short-term and specifically designed to help you buy your next home before selling your current one. Payments are often deferred, and the loan doesn’t count against your debt-to-income ratio, making qualification easier.
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A HELOC, by contrast, is a revolving line of credit suited for ongoing borrowing (like renovations). Because it increases your monthly liabilities, it can make qualifying for a new mortgage more difficult.
For a detailed comparison, see our article How to Buy a New Home Before Selling Your Current One (Without the Stress).
Our Buy Before You Sell Products are perfect for...
Buyers in Competitive Markets
Who need quick access to their home equity to purchase a new property without risking a sales contingency. A bridge loan helps you make stronger, more competitive offers and stand out in bidding wars.
Families with Young Children
Who want to minimize stress with a smoother transition into their new home. A buy before you sell program lets families time their move when it’s most convenient — whether that’s during the school year or over the summer.
Homeowners Looking to Downsize or Upsize
Who want to secure the perfect next property today without the pressure of immediately finding a buyer for their current home. A bridge loan provides the flexibility to move on your timeline.
Buyers Planning Renovations or Repairs
Who want the time and space to make updates or improvements to their existing home before listing it — without living through construction. Bridge financing helps you maximize your home’s value before selling.
Professionals Relocating for Work
Who want to avoid the hassle and expense of temporary housing while managing the sale of their current property from afar. A bridge loan makes relocating from Florida to Texas smoother and less stressful.