Buying AND Selling Simultaneously? What Winnipeg Homeowners Need to Know About Bridge Financing

We are asked ALL the time… how does one buy AND sell a home at the same time.

We have been asked about bridge financing (often also called interim financing) more this month than typical, so it seemed appropriate to put some thoughts together on the matter for those that may be curious.

In today’s strong Seller’s Market, we’re more often advising our clients to secure a home to buy before listing their current one. It helps ensure you’re not left without options—and puts you in control of your move.

In a perfect world, selling your current home and buying your next one would align with a neat, non-stressful handoff. A little time to breathe, paint, maybe sneak in a celebratory takeout dinner on the floor of your new home before the moving truck arrives.

And honestly? That ideal can happen—we see it all the time. With great planning, a clear timeline, and the right partners in place, we've helped many clients enjoy a smooth transition between homes without a single sleepless night. But the secret ingredient in those success stories? Bridge financing.

What is Bridge Financing?

Think of bridge financing as a short-term loan or temporary line of credit. It covers the gap between the purchase of your new home and the sale of your current one. You’re borrowing against the money you’ll receive from your sale—just a little early—so that you can close on your next chapter without delay.

Why Would You Need It?

Most people rely on the equity from their current home to purchase their next one. But here’s the catch: in Manitoba, you don’t receive your sale proceeds the day you hand over the keys. In fact, it can take several business days (sometimes longer) for your funds to be released through your lawyer’s trust account.

So even if your sale date comes before your purchase, you might still need bridge financing to ensure you can close on time. And if your sale is scheduled to close after your new purchase? Bridge financing becomes almost essential.

Our Advice? Plan for Flexibility.

Whenever possible, we recommend at least 90 days between your offer and possession date—whether you’re buying, selling, or both. More time allows for better scheduling, access to movers and trades, and a less hectic moving experience overall.

And when your sale and purchase are within a tight window (less than two weeks apart), we strongly encourage bridge financing as a proactive move. We’d rather prepare you for a scenario that never happens than have you scrambling at the last minute.

You're Not in This Alone

We know this process can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to figure it out yourself. We work closely with trusted mortgage professionals who are well-versed in coordinating bridge financing solutions. They’ll walk you through your options, help calculate what’s needed, and ensure the transition is as seamless as possible.

And looking ahead: new closing protocols are coming this fall (November), which may help speed up the transfer of sale proceeds. When the time comes, you can count on us to keep you in the loop and make sure you're navigating the changes with confidence.

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to timing your sale and purchase. This year, for instance, I worked with clients selling a home with a fairly substantial slant. The price was attractive, and interest was strong—over 80 showings in total. But it wasn’t until showings 81 and 82, a few weeks into the listing, that we finally received two offers.

Now imagine if they had bought first. With that many showings and no offers for weeks, the pressure of a ticking clock on their purchase would have made the process far more stressful.

The reality? Selling is always a bit stressful. But don’t add unnecessary pressure unless it makes sense for your circumstances. That’s exactly what we’re here for—to help bring clarity, to offer grounded advice based on what we’re seeing daily in the trenches, and to help you make the decision that’s right for you.

💬 Thinking about buying and selling this year? Let’s connect early. We’ll help you map out a plan, run through your numbers, and make sure you’re never caught between homes.

Jennifer Queen

Phone: (204) 797-7945
Email: Jennifer@QueenTeam.ca