Should I Sell My California Home Before Moving to Idaho?
It’s the question keeping every California-to-Idaho relocator up at night: do I sell first, or do I buy first? After helping hundreds of families navigate this exact transition, I can tell you there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there are definitely right and wrong ways to approach it.
Let’s break down your options and what actually makes sense for your situation.
Option 1: Sell First (The Conservative Approach)
Selling your California home first gives you complete financial clarity. You know exactly how much cash you have for your Idaho purchase, you’re not carrying two mortgages, and you can make non-contingent offers that Idaho sellers love.
The downside? You might end up in temporary housing, rushing your Idaho home search, or missing out on the perfect property while you wait for your California sale to close. In today’s market, this can be particularly stressful.
Option 2: Buy First (The Aggressive Approach)
Buying your Idaho home first means you can take your time finding the perfect property, move directly from one home to another, and avoid the stress of temporary housing with kids and pets.
But you’ll need either substantial cash reserves or a bridge loan to make this work. Bridge loans give homeowners more flexibility in their house-hunting endeavors because they allow them to make offers non-contingent on selling their previous home; this can be an asset in a competitive market.
Option 3: Contingent Offers (The Middle Ground)
You can make an offer on your Idaho home contingent upon selling your California property. This protects you financially but makes your offer less attractive to sellers. In Idaho’s competitive market, contingent offers often lose to cash or non-contingent financing offers.
The Bridge Loan Solution
For many California-to-Idaho relocators, bridge loans have become the preferred solution. A bridge loan is a short-term loan that allows you to purchase a new home before selling your current one. By taking out a bridge loan, you can close the deal on your new house without waiting for your current home’s sale to go through.
The catch? Bridge loans are expensive—typically 2-3 points higher than traditional mortgages. But when you consider the alternative of losing your dream Idaho home to a cash buyer, many families find the cost worthwhile.
Tax Considerations You Can’t Ignore
Here’s something many people don’t consider: timing your sale can impact your taxes. Since the sale of your house in California occurred while you were a California resident, it would be subject to California state tax, but not Idaho state tax for the portion of the year you live in Idaho.
The good news is that you may qualify for the federal home sale exclusion, allowing you to exclude up to $250K (single) or $500K (married) of capital gains if you’ve lived in the home for 2 of the last 5 years.
What We Recommend Based on Your Situation
If you have substantial savings or home equity: Consider buying first, especially if you’ve found your dream Idaho property.
If you’re financially stretched: Sell first to avoid the risk of carrying two mortgages.
If you’re somewhere in between: A bridge loan might be worth exploring, particularly if Idaho’s market is competitive in your price range.
The California Connection Advantage
Here’s what sets Abmont Realty Group apart: we don’t just help you buy in Idaho—we have a network of trusted California agents who can help you sell your existing home. We understand the unique challenges of coordinating a cross-state move and can recommend experienced California realtors who know how to price and market your property for a quick, profitable sale.
This coordination is crucial. Your California agent needs to understand your Idaho timeline, and your Idaho agent (that’s us) needs to know your California sale strategy. When both sides are working together, everything goes smoother.
We’ve built relationships with top California agents in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, and San Diego specifically to help our Idaho buyers make seamless transitions. These aren’t random referrals—they’re proven agents who understand the urgency of out-of-state relocations.
The Bottom Line
Every California-to-Idaho move is different, but having the right team on both sides makes all the difference. Whether you decide to sell first, buy first, or use a bridge loan, success depends on coordination, timing, and having agents who understand your complete picture.
Call Abmont Realty Group at 208-789-4320 to explore your options and get connected with our trusted California agent network.