Buy a New Home Before You Sell Yours—Without the Stress
Secure your next home without sale contingencies using a bridge loan. Leverage your existing equity to make a strong, non-contingent offer, even before your current house sells.
What Is a Bridge Loan (Buy Before You Sell Program)?
A bridge loan is a short-term financing tool that lets you buy a house before selling yours by using your existing home’s equity to fund the down payment on a new house. With LendFriend’s Buy Before You Sell Program, you can access up to 80% of your current home’s value to secure your next property—without needing to sell first.
This program is ideal if you want to put an offer on a house before selling yours, avoid temporary housing, or skip the stress of sale contingencies. Because your bridge loan and purchase loan work together, the process is seamless and lets you move with confidence.
Best of all, bridge loans are excluded from standard debt-to-income (DTI) calculations, so you won’t be penalized for carrying two mortgages at once—making it easier to qualify for your new loan. And if your funds for a second down payment are currently tied up in stocks or investments, using a bridge loan means you can avoid triggering capital gains tax by leaving your portfolio untouched.
Why Homebuyers Trust LendFriend for Bridge Loans?
At LendFriend Mortgage, we specialize in helping Texas homebuyers and families across the country make smoother, more confident moves with our Buy Before You Sell Program. Whether you're relocating across state lines or upgrading to your next home, our team helps you unlock your equity fast—without the stress of sale contingencies or rushed timelines.
Unlike companies like Homeward, UpEquity, or Homelight, LendFriend offers a faster, more affordable, and more personalized approach to bridge financing. We don’t charge hidden platform fees, and we don’t slow down your process with red tape. Our loans are designed to move at your pace, not ours.
✅ No monthly payments
✅ No sale contingencies
✅ No pressure to sell fast with massive late fees
Our bridge loans don’t require monthly payments, which gives you financial breathing room while your current home is staged, listed, or in contract. And because we structure the bridge loan alongside your purchase loan, it’s seamless from start to finish.
Whether you're moving to Texas from Florida, Rhode Island, or Colorado… making a big change from North Carolina to California… or just upsizing across town, LendFriend will help you buy your next home before selling your current one—without delays, pressure, or compromise.
How does a Bridge Loan make homebuying and relocating 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? A bridge loan mortgage gives 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 Bridge Loans?
Talk to our co-founder, Eric Bernstein, today!
Bridge Loan FAQs: Buying A New House Before You Sell
How long can I have a bridge loan before I need to sell my current home?
Bridge loans are typically designed for short-term use. They can be as short as 120 days or as long as 12 months — giving you time to market your sale effectively. However, exact terms vary by lender, so it’s important to work with a mortgage broker who can match you with the right solution for your timeline.
Do I have to make payments on my bridge loan right away?
LendFriend works with many lenders who offer no payment bridge loans, which means you defer payments until your current home sells or the loan is funded with all interest payments already made. This can help ease cash flow during the transition period. Be sure to review the terms carefully so you understand your payment schedule.
Can I get 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 for a bridge loan. Lenders look at your home’s current value and your existing mortgage balance to determine how much equity you can access. Most bridge loan programs let you borrow up to about 80% of your home’s value, which is called the combined loan-to-value (CLTV).
For example: Let’s say your home is worth $800,000, and you still owe $400,000 on your current mortgage. A bridge loan could allow you to borrow up to $640,000 (which is 80% of the home’s value). From that amount, you’d first pay off your existing $400,000 mortgage. That would leave you with about $240,000 in cash to use toward the down payment or purchase of your next home.
Is a bridge loan only for single-family homes?
Not at all. While bridge loans are commonly used for single-family residences, they can also work for townhomes, condos, and even multi-unit properties depending on the lender’s guidelines. If you’re buying or selling a unique property type, it’s smart to consult a mortgage broker familiar with bridge loan options for that property class.
How is a bridge loan different from a home equity line of credit (HELOC)?
Both bridge loans and HELOCs let you tap into your home equity, but they serve different purposes — and can impact your ability to qualify for a new mortgage in very different ways.
A bridge loan is short-term financing designed specifically to help you buy your next home before selling your current one. Because of the way lenders structure bridge loans, the payments on the bridge loan typically don’t count against your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio when qualifying for your new purchase loan — making it much easier to get approved.
In contrast, a HELOC is a longer-term, revolving credit line that’s great for ongoing borrowing needs like home improvements. However, both the HELOC payment and your existing mortgage count toward your DTI, which can make it harder to qualify for the new home loan you want. That’s why a bridge loan is often the better solution when you’re buying before you sell.
Example of a Typical Buy Before You Sell Transaction
A family is relocating from Naples, FL to Austin, TX in the next 50 days. They bought their home in Boca Raton in 2020. It's worth $1M and they have a $400,000 mortgage outstanding. They want to buy a home in Austin but all their savings are tied up in the stock market. They don't want to trigger a tax event by selling, and they aren't ready to start the process of selling their house until they buy and move into a new house. The perfect candidates for a Buy Before You Sell transaction! With Buy Before You Sell, they can access up to $400,000 in equity from their Naples home to buy the house in Austin.
Day 1: Get Pre-Approved for the Bridge Loan and the Purchase Transaction
We’ll work quickly to review your finances and let you know how much home you can afford. You’ll get pre-approved for both the bridge loan and the new home purchase loan — so you can shop with confidence and no sale contingency.
Weeks 1-2: Shop for Your New Home and Make an Offer
Start working with a high-quality realtor to tour properties in your ideal neighborhood and identify the right fit. At LendFriend, we’ll coordinate with you and your agent to help ensure your offer is strong and competitive — often without a sales contingency thanks to your bridge loan pre-approval.
Week 3: Finalize Contract and Start the Loan Process
Once your offer is accepted, you’ll deliver the signed contract so we can kick off the bridge loan (refinance of your current home) and purchase loan. We’ll order appraisals, gather documents, and get underwriting started to keep everything on track.
Weeks 4-5: Start Planning the Big Move!
By now you’re through the option period and appraisals. We’ll keep you updated and help collect any final documents needed so you’re ready for closing.
Week 6: Close on the Bridge Loan (Refinance) in Naples, FL!
You’ll close on the bridge loan — unlocking your equity so the funds are ready for your new home purchase. This ensures your down payment or closing costs are covered without needing to sell first.
Week 7: Buy the House in Austin, TX!
Congratulations — you’ve closed on your new home and can move in on your timeline. Now you can list your current home without pressure, make any needed updates, and focus on getting top dollar while you’re already settled.
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We worked with the LendFriend team and could not recommend it more. As first time home buyers, there is a lot to learn - and LendFriend know how to share their knowledge with patience and professionalism.For anyone considering working with them, just go ahead and give them a call. You will not regret it.
Jesper Holdensen
Closed June 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 had been looking for a house for 2-3 years and while it was a journey as a business owner with a difficult financial situation this company did what 6 others could not. They got me a jumbo loan based off my business income and when I needed more they just made it happen twice. This process of funding can be extremely difficult and basically a blow to the ego but Eric and his team are literally magicians and my fiancee and I are now closed on out dream house. I recommend them whole heartedly
Shawn Tassone, MD, PhD
Closed April 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 -
LendFriend was such a wonderful partner in the process of buying our first home. They were so helpful and patient in giving us guidance, and their availability to communicate was next-to-none. I can't recommend them highly enough!
Hunter Hampton
Closed February 2025 -
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
Our Buy Before You Sell Bridge Loan is 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.
WHY CHOOSE LENDFRIEND?
At LendFriend Mortgage, we’re more than just a lender — we’re your trusted mortgage broker, dedicated to securing you the right mortgage rate for you with no hidden fees. Our user-friendly technology and transparent process make it easy to compare mortgage options, get pre-approved, and close quickly.
Around the Clock
We’re here 7 days a week, 365 days a year to help you compare mortgage rates, get pre-approved, and move forward with confidence to buy or refinance your home on your timeline.
Loan Options
We offer a wide range of home loan programs, including FHA, VA, jumbo, and conventional loans — so you can find the best fit.
Get Pre-Approved Quickly
Apply online to secure a pre-approval that strengthens your offer and moves you one step closer to your new home.
Competitive Rates with No Hidden Fees
We help you secure competitive asset depletion mortgages with transparent terms—no hidden fees, no unnecessary points, just financing structured around your goals and objectives.
Personalized Mortgage Guidance
You’ll work closely with a dedicated mortgage expert who helps you compare loan programs, understand mortgage terms, and navigate the financing process with clarity and confidence.
Expedite Your Relocation
Our process is built for speed. Most clients close on the bridge loan and the purchase in less than 30 days.
No hidden fees unlike companies like Homeward who charge HIGH carrying costs - the carrying costs of the equity advance placed on your departing residence has a 0% interest rate! Our program charges a one-time fee of 2.4% of your sales price when you sell.
Fast, Easy Process you'll receive your approval letter and equity unlock amount within 24 hours of application and we can close on your timeline!
Move when you're ready once you buy your new home, you must list your current home within 21 days, but you can move at your own pace! You have 120 days from the date you buy your new home to sell your home at your desired sales price!
LendFriend is in your corner from start to finish to act as your liaison, confidant and homebuying (and selling) expert! We're available throughout the entire process to answer any questions, get you an amazing home loan and make the entire process a huge success
222 West Ave Unit 2313
Austin, TX, 78701
© 2022 LendFriend Mortgage DBA of LendFriend Mortgage, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
This is not an offer for extension of credit or commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Not all applicants qualify. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. The content in this advertisement is for informational purposes only. Products not available in all areas. As prohibited by federal law, we do not engage in business practices that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (provided you have the capacity to enter into a binding contract), because all or part of your income may be derived from any public assistance program, or because you have, in good faith, exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The federal agency that administers our compliance with these federal laws is the Federal Trade Commission, Equal Credit Opportunity, Washington, DC, 20580.
CONSUMERS WISHING TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST A MORTGAGE BANKER OR A LICENSED MORTGAGE BANKER RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR SHOULD COMPLETE AND SEND A COMPLAINT FORM TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF SAVINGS AND MORTGAGE LENDING, 2601 NORTH LAMAR, SUITE 201, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78705. COMPLAINT FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE AT WWW.SML.TEXAS.GOV. A TOLL-FREE CONSUMER HOTLINE IS AVAILABLE AT 1-877-276-5550.
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