Can you sell your house and buy another one without using all of the money from the sale in the United States?

Yes, you can sell your house and buy another one without using all of the money from the sale in the United States. Here are some key considerations and strategies:

Financial Considerations

Capital Gains Tax Exclusion: If you are selling your primary residence, you may be eligible for the 121 home sale exclusion, which allows you to exclude up to $250,000 of capital gains if you're single or $500,000 if married filing jointly, provided you have lived in the house for at least two of the last five years[2][3]. This can help you retain more proceeds from the sale.
Using Proceeds Wisely: You do not have to use all the proceeds from your home sale to purchase a new home. You can choose to use a portion for the down payment and save or invest the remainder[4].

Buying and Selling Strategies

Sell First, Buy Later: Selling your current home before buying a new one can help ensure that you have access to funds and avoid carrying two mortgages simultaneously. However, this might require temporary housing arrangements[5].
Buy First, Sell Later: If financially feasible, buying a new home before selling your current one allows for a smoother transition but may require bridge financing or carrying two mortgages for a period[5].
Simultaneous Transactions: Coordinating both transactions can be complex but is possible with careful planning. This might involve contingent offers or rent-back agreements where you sell your home but continue living there temporarily while securing a new property[4][5].

Tax Implications

Investment Properties: If dealing with investment properties, consider a 1031 like-kind exchange to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting in similar properties[2][3]. However, this does not apply to primary residences.

Overall, while it is possible to sell a house and buy another without using all the proceeds from the sale, careful financial planning and understanding of tax implications are crucial. Consulting with real estate and financial professionals can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Citations: [1] https://hometowndev.com/blog/how-to-handle-selling-a-house-and-buying-in-another-state/ [2] https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/can-you-avoid-capital-gains-tax-by-buying-another-house [3] https://smartasset.com/taxes/can-you-avoid-capital-gains-tax-by-buying-another-home [4] https://www.zillow.com/learn/buying-selling-at-the-same-time/ [5] https://www.rockethomes.com/blog/home-buying/buy-sell-home-at-same-time [6] https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/how-to-buy-and-sell-a-house-at-the-same-time [7] https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/sell-your-house-while-buying-another/