01
Do I have to sell my home for less than it’s worth?
No. HomeAdvance lets you buy your new home first, then list and sell your current home on the open market at market value. Your home does come with a guaranteed backup offer, but that offer only comes into play if your home hasn’t sold after six months. It’s a safety net, not the plan. When your home sells, you repay the advance and keep the remaining proceeds after normal selling costs.
02
Will I be stuck paying two mortgages?
No. The equity advance pays off your current mortgage in full, so you aren’t making two mortgage payments while your old home is on the market. And because your current home has a guaranteed backup offer, your new-home lender can typically leave that old mortgage out of your debt-to-income calculation when you qualify.
03
What if my home doesn’t sell right away?
You get six months to sell on the open market. If your home hasn’t sold by then, the guaranteed backup offer kicks in and our funding partner purchases the home, so you’re never left without an exit. We walk through the exact terms for your situation before you commit to anything.
04
Is this the same as a cash-offer company?
No. Cash-offer companies typically buy your home right away, usually below market value. With HomeAdvance, your home goes to market and sells to a regular buyer for what it’s actually worth. The backup offer only exists in case it doesn’t sell within six months. Your agent still earns their commission on the sale.
05
What does it cost?
There are two program fees, and both are taken out of your advance up front, so you never pay them out of pocket. The fee for the guaranteed backup offer is 1.9% of the higher of two numbers: your current home’s value or your new home’s purchase price. The fee for the equity advance is 2% of the amount you actually take. We run your exact numbers before you decide anything.
06
How much equity do I need?
Roughly 20% or more in your current home. The advance can go up to 85% of your home’s value, minus what you still owe. For example, on a $500,000 home with a $300,000 mortgage, up to $425,000 is available. That pays off the mortgage and leaves about $125,000 toward your next home before fees. Below 20% equity, our Home to Sell or Guaranteed Lease programs are usually the better fit, and your specialist will tell you straight which one.
07
How is my home valued?
Most homes are valued with an automated online valuation, which is accurate in the large majority of cases. If the number looks low, you can order a broker price opinion (BPO) for about $250. It typically comes back in around three days, and your advance is based on that value instead.
08
What if I don’t need the full advance?
Take less. The advance can be dialed down to exactly what you need, and the equity advance fee is calculated on that smaller amount. The backup-offer fee is based on home value, so it stays the same. If you only need to remove your home-sale contingency, you can also use the guaranteed backup offer on its own, with no advance at all.
09
Can I still use the builder’s lender and incentives?
Yes. HomeAdvance is tied only to your current home, so you can use the lender of your choice, including the builder’s preferred lender. You keep full access to the builder’s incentives on your new home.
10
What kinds of homes qualify?
The program covers single-family homes (1–4 units), homes in planned communities, and condos that meet Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac warrantability standards. The home must be valued between $200,000 and $5 million and be within 30 miles of a metro area. Mobile homes, farms and ranches, properties over 20 acres, and non-warrantable condos don’t qualify.
11
Is an inspection required?
Yes. It focuses on big-ticket items like the HVAC system and foundation. In most cases you won’t be asked to make repairs before closing. Normal repair requests get negotiated with your eventual buyer, just like a traditional sale.