Walnut Creek draws two kinds of buyers who already own a home: families moving up for more space, and longtime owners downsizing from a larger house nearby. Both face the same question. Do you sell first and scramble for somewhere to live, or buy first and hope the timing works out?
A Buy Before You Sell bridge loan removes the guesswork. It uses the equity in your current home to fund the next one, so you can buy first, move once, and sell afterward.
Why Timing Is Hard in Walnut Creek
With BART access, a walkable downtown and well-regarded schools, well-located homes in neighborhoods like Northgate, Saranap and Parkmead attract competitive offers. Home prices across Contra Costa County run around $840,000, and Walnut Creek’s most desirable streets go well above that. An offer that depends on selling another home first is easy for a seller to pass over.
Two Common Walnut Creek Moves
Moving up
You’ve outgrown your current home and found a larger one. A bridge loan lets you make a non-contingent offer now, then sell your current home once you’ve moved.
Downsizing
You own a larger home with substantial equity and want something smaller, perhaps a townhome near downtown or a home in Rossmoor. A bridge loan lets you secure the new place first and take your time preparing the family home for sale.
Loan Terms at a Glance
- Up to 70% combined loan-to-value across both homes
- Terms up to 11 months
- Monthly payments
- Minimum credit score of 600
- For primary residences
- Closings often in 7 to 10 days
Example: A Walnut Creek Downsizer
Say you own a home in Northgate worth $1,600,000 with $200,000 left on the mortgage, and you’ve found a $900,000 townhome closer to downtown.
- Combined value of both homes: $2,500,000
- 70% of that: $1,750,000 in maximum total borrowing
- Minus your existing mortgage: $1,550,000 available
That is far more than the $900,000 purchase price, so the new home can be bought outright with the bridge loan. When the Northgate home sells, the proceeds repay the loan and the remaining equity is yours.
Figures are illustrative only. Actual loan amounts depend on appraised values, existing liens and lender approval.
Estimate your own numbers with our loan calculator →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to list my current home before I buy?
No. You can buy first and list afterward, which also means you can stage and show an empty house.
How much equity do I need?
The loan can go up to 70% of both homes’ combined value, minus what you still owe. The more equity you have in your current home, the more of the new purchase it can cover.
How long do I have to sell?
Terms run up to 11 months, which gives most sellers plenty of time to prepare, list and close.
Can I use this to buy a rental?
This program is for primary residences. For investment properties, see our rental property loans.
Work with a Bay Area Bridge Loan Specialist
Seth Swenson has worked in private money lending since 2003, including more than 25 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a licensed California broker with access to over 50 private lenders, he matches your situation with the lender whose terms fit it best.
For full loan terms and more detail, see our Buy Before You Sell bridge loan page. Looking elsewhere in the East Bay? See our guides for Oakland and Fremont.
Ready to Make Your Move in Walnut Creek?
Call Seth at (415) 860-7384 or send a message with your current home’s value, what you owe and the price of the home you’re considering.