What Is a Simultaneous Close? Lessons from a Cross-Country Move
One of the trickiest transactions in real estate is the simultaneous close — when the money from selling one home has to fund the purchase of another, and both deals have to land in sync.
Our buyers were moving cross-country from New York to San Francisco. They’d already accepted an offer on their New York home, and those proceeds were needed to fund the San Francisco purchase. The plan was to line up both closings so the funds would transfer seamlessly. The challenge: two deals, in two different states, with two very different ways of doing business.
Why two states make it harder
In California, neutral escrow and title companies hold the funds and make sure deadlines are met and both sides are protected. Many East Coast states run closings through attorneys instead, on a different timeline and rhythm. When one side moves like a relay race and the other moves like a deposition, the baton can get stuck halfway down the track — which is exactly what happened. The New York side signaled it wouldn’t perform on time.
How we kept it together
- Protected our clients from penalties. We negotiated with the California sellers to grant an extension without charging our buyers for a delay that wasn’t their fault.
- Kept pressure on the other side. We pushed the New York attorney and held the other agent accountable, making clear the entire move was on the line.
- Managed the logistics. Movers were rescheduled, flights shifted, and car transport adjusted — without our clients paying extra fees.
It took three more weeks of nudging and constant communication, but the New York side finally closed — which let the San Francisco purchase close right behind it.
The takeaway
A simultaneous close can absolutely work — but it lives and dies on coordination, communication, and an agent willing to chase down both sides. If your move depends on one deal funding another, build in cushion and make sure someone is actively managing the timeline.
Planning a move that hinges on selling first? Let’s map it out together — (415) 407-5324 or PrimaveraRealty.com. — Beatrice Kopilenko, REALTOR® · DRE #01970797