Bridge Loans, Move Without Moving Twice

What a bridge loan actually does

A bridge loan is short-term financing secured by the equity in your departing residence. It ‘bridges’ the gap between buying your next home and selling your current one, so you can move once instead of twice, and offer without a sale contingency in a competitive market.

Why move-up buyers use it

• Make a non-contingent offer that competes with cash and stands out to sellers
• Move once instead of selling, renting, and moving twice
• Access your equity for the down payment on the new home before the old one closes
• Sell your current home on your timeline, not under pressure

When the math works, and when it does not

Bridge loans typically run 6 to 12 months, carry an origination fee around 1 to 3%, and price a couple of points above a first mortgage. For move-up buyers with strong equity and stable income, that short-term cost is usually worth avoiding a double move and a lost dream home. For tight-equity or high-DTI situations, a HELOC on your current home or a sell-first plan may be cleaner. Connor runs both paths so you choose with eyes open.

The smart pairing: bridge now, recast later

Many move-up buyers pair a bridge loan with a mortgage recast. Buy with the bridge, and once your old home sells, apply the proceeds to your new loan and recast to reset your monthly payment, without refinancing or losing your rate.

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