Relocation is the one situation on this list that is usually good news. A promotion, a transfer, a move closer to family. What makes it stressful is not the move — it is the gap between a fixed start date and a house that has not sold.
That gap has a price, and most people underestimate it.
What carrying two homes actually costs
If you move before the sale completes, you are paying for both places at once. Every month that continues, it adds up:
- Mortgage payments on the unsold home, plus rent or a mortgage where you are going
- Property tax, insurance and utilities on an empty house — and insurers often restrict coverage on vacant properties, sometimes requiring a rider
- Lawn, snow clearing and basic upkeep, from several hours away
- The cost of returning for showings, inspections or problems
- Price reductions, which is what usually happens to a listing that sits
Listing versus a guaranteed sale
This is a genuine trade-off, not a sales pitch, and it turns almost entirely on how much time you have.
Listing generally produces the highest price. It needs the house presentable, someone available for showings, and enough runway to wait for the right buyer and their financing. If your move is months away and the house shows well, list it.
A cash offer gives you a known number and a date you pick. You give up some price for certainty. If you are leaving in six weeks, that certainty is often worth more than the difference.
There is also a middle path worth asking about: list it with a standing cash offer as a backstop. You chase the higher price, and if it has not sold by your deadline, you already have a floor. You are never trapped choosing between a bad price and a bridge loan.
If your employer is paying
Relocation packages sometimes include home sale assistance, a guaranteed buyout, or help with carrying costs and closing fees. These are frequently under-claimed simply because people do not ask.
Before deciding anything, read your relocation policy and ask HR directly what it covers. It can materially change which option makes sense.
Timing the two closings
The classic relocation trap is a purchase that closes before the sale does. Ways to avoid it:
- Set the sale's closing date first, then buy around it
- Negotiate a rent-back so you can stay a short while after closing
- Ask about bridge financing before you need it, not during a crisis
- Where possible, make the purchase conditional on your sale completing
What I can do for a relocation
- A firm offer with a closing date you name, so you can plan the move around it
- No showings and no repairs, which matters once you have already left
- Remote handling by phone, text and email; your lawyer manages signing
- A standing cash offer as a backup while you try the market for top dollar
Common questions
How fast can I sell my house in Edmonton if I am relocating?
With a cash offer you generally pick the closing date, and many sellers close in weeks rather than months. A conventional listing depends on the market, your price, and the buyer's financing, so the date is much less certain.
Should I list my house or take a cash offer if I am moving?
It comes down to your timeline. Listing usually gets the highest price but needs time and a presentable house. A cash offer trades some price for a certain date. Calculate what carrying two homes costs you monthly, then compare that to the price difference.
Can I sell my Edmonton house after I have already moved?
Yes. Most of a direct sale can be handled by phone, text and email, and your lawyer can manage the signing remotely. Because there are no showings, you do not need to come back or keep the house presentable from a distance.
What happens if my new home closes before my old one sells?
You either carry both or arrange bridge financing, which is expensive and needs to be set up in advance. It is much easier to fix the sale date first and buy around it, or to hold a standing cash offer as a backstop.
Does my employer's relocation package cover any of this?
Often more than people realise — home sale assistance, guaranteed buyouts, carrying costs or closing fees all appear in relocation policies. Ask HR before you commit to anything, because it can change which option is best.
