Selling Your Home in Maryland but Haven’t Found Your Next One? Here’s How a Home of Choice Contingency Can Help

Don’t Want to Sell Before You’ve Found Your Next Home? You’re Not Alone.

If the idea of selling your current Maryland home without knowing where you’re going next keeps you up at night, we get it. For many sellers especially in popular markets like Ellicott City, Bel Air or Severna Park, the timeline between selling and buying can feel tight, risky, or just plain stressful.

But here’s the good news: Maryland real estate law offers a solution called the Home of Choice Contingency, and it might be exactly what you need to breathe easier and move smarter.

What Is a Home of Choice Contingency?

In simple terms, a Home of Choice Contingency lets you sell your home only if you find and secure a new one first. Think of it as a built-in pause button that gives you time to shop for your next place without rushing or risking homelessness in between.

It’s typically written into the contract during negotiations, and it allows you (the seller) to cancel the deal within a set timeframe if you can’t find a new home to purchase.

Why Maryland Sellers Use This Strategy

Here in Maryland especially in hot markets like Howard County or Baltimore County, inventory can be low and competition fierce. Sellers don’t want to cash in on their current home just to feel stuck or forced to compromise on their next move.

The Home of Choice Contingency offers:

• Peace of mind if you’re upsizing, downsizing, or relocating

• Control over your timeline

• A safety net if the market shifts while you're searching
  
  

We’ve seen it work well for sellers in places like Towson, Columbia, and even rural parts of Carroll County where finding the right fit takes time.

How to Use It Without Scaring Away Buyers

Let’s be real: some buyers might hesitate when they see this contingency. That’s why your agent (that’s us) has to frame it correctly and negotiate terms that are fair and clear.

Tips that make it work:

• Set a reasonable deadline (usually two weeks to 30 days) to find your next home

• Show that your home is priced right and ready to sell

• Communicate early with buyer agents about your goals
  
  

In markets like Harford County or Anne Arundel, where buyers are a bit more patient or flexible, this can go over smoothly with the right prep.

When It Makes Sense to Use a Home of Choice Contingency

This strategy works best if you:

• Have strong equity and flexibility

• Are moving within the same area (like from Baltimore City to Baltimore County)

• Want to avoid temporary housing or double moves

• Need time to shop intentionally, not impulsively

Not sure if it’s a good fit? We’ll walk you through it. Every seller's situation is unique, and timing is everything.

Let’s Make Your Next Move Feel Less Risky

At the Teal Clise Group, we help Maryland sellers move forward with confidence. Whether you're relocating to Ellicott City, retiring to Havre de Grace, or looking for more space in Howard County, we’ll guide you through options like the Home of Choice Contingency so you can sell smart and buy without pressure.

Reach out today for a consultation or strategy session. We’ll help you weigh your options, time your sale, and find your next place without losing sleep in the process.