Two Arizona solutions for the two reasons homeowners get stuck.
Most Arizona homeowners trying to buy before selling hit one of two problems: their down-payment cash is trapped in their current home, or they can't qualify carrying two mortgage payments. We solve both.
Pick by your situation
| Your situation | Best solution | Starts at |
|---|---|---|
| I found a house, but my cash is tied up in my current home. | In-House Bridge Loan | Custom rate |
| I can afford the payment, but I can't qualify with two mortgages. | Guaranteed Backup Contract | $2,500 net fee* |
| I need both equity access AND qualification help. | Stack: Bridge Loan + Backup Contract | See tiers |
| I'm not sure what I need. | Free strategy call | Free |
*Starting fee for guaranteed price up to $500,000. Fees tier up with higher home values, see the full pricing table.
Unlock the equity in your current home before you sell.
When you have the income, but your cash is locked in equity.
A bridge loan is a short-term loan secured by your current Arizona home. It pulls equity out so you can use it for the down payment on the new home. When the old home sells, the bridge is paid off in full from the proceeds.
Why ours is different: we underwrite and fund it in-house at Cornerstone — no third-party investor, no cross-vendor delays. Bridge loans available up to $1 million.
Bridge loan deep-dive →- Use locked-up equity for new down payment
- Closes alongside your new purchase
- Short-term, paid off at old home's sale
- Bridge loans up to $1 million
- Direct in-house underwriting
Qualify for the next home without counting your current payment.
When qualification is the roadblock, not cash.
A Guaranteed Backup Contract is a non-contingent offer to purchase your current home, in writing, from a vetted institutional third-party buyer. Because that offer exists, many loan programs allow your current mortgage payment to be excluded during qualification — so you can buy the next home without selling first.
You stay in control of the sale:
- You keep all proceeds above the backup price
- You still use your own Realtor
- The backup only triggers if your home doesn't sell in 180 days
- Lets most buyers qualify without counting their current house payment
- Works with conventional, VA, jumbo, and Non-QM
- 180-day window to sell at your price
- $2,500 starting fee · tiered by home value
- Equity pledge guarantee
- You choose your own listing agent
We found our dream home in Scottsdale before our Chandler house was even listed. The backup contract let us make a clean, non-contingent offer, and it cost us less than a tenth of what two other national programs quoted.
Sarah & Michael T.: Scottsdale, AZ · Upgraded to 4BR
Why buyers use this instead of contingent offers
| With a contingent offer | With Buy Before You Sell |
|---|---|
| Weaker offer that sellers often reject | Stronger non-contingent offer |
| You have to sell first, then scramble to buy | You buy first, then sell at your pace |
| Stressful, rushed timelines | More control over the whole move |
| Risk losing the target home if your sale stalls | The home you want stays yours regardless |
Common situations we help solve
- You already found the next home before listing yours
- You've lost out on contingent offers in this market
- You need your current equity for the next down payment
- You can afford the payment but can't qualify with two mortgages
- You want to move before preparing your current home for sale
- You're relocating within Arizona
- You want to compete stronger in Arizona's tight market
- You want to move on your timeline, not the buyer's
Loan programs that stack with Buy Before You Sell
The Buy Before You Sell structure works on top of most standard mortgage programs. Compatible with:
- Conventional — the workhorse for most Arizona move-up deals
- FHA — for buyers with lower credit or smaller down payments
- VA — for veterans and active-duty military
- Jumbo — for higher-end Scottsdale and Paradise Valley moves
- Self-employed / Non-QM — for buyers outside standard guidelines
- Down Payment Assistance programs — when stacking incentives makes sense
Full Cornerstone loan menu at cfmtg.com/loans.
Not sure which service you need?
Send us your equity, target home price, and rough income. We’ll tell you in 20 minutes.
Free consultation