Buying Before Selling in Glen Allen: How One Family Kept Their Move on Track

Curt Reichstetter

Sep 25

3 min read

Updated: Sep 28

Yes, you can buy your next home before you sell your current one, and a surprise late in the process doesn't have to sink the sale. That's what this Glen Allen family learned when they moved up without leaving the area they love.

The Situation

A growing family wanted more space and a bigger yard, but they wanted to stay in the Glen Allen area. A home equity line of credit (HELOC) on their current home let them buy their next home first and put their current home on the market afterward, so they weren't forced to rush the move or make an offer that depended on a sale.

The White Chimneys Ct home in Glen Allen, VA that the family bought first using a HELOC

The Surprise

About two weeks before their old home was due to close, a required crawl-space inspection turned up degraded insulation, no vapor barrier and microbial growth on the joists. That's the kind of news that can make a buyer nervous and a closing wobble.

What We Did

We helped settle on a practical repair scope, found contractors who could get to it quickly, and kept everyone, buyer, seller, lender and inspectors, informed along the way. The work included treatment, new insulation, a vapor barrier and a dehumidifier, and it was finished in time for closing.

The Result

The family moved through both transactions without the plan coming apart, and their former home closed at asking price.

In Their Words: What This Glen Allen Family Said

After both closings, the family left Curt Reichstetter and Two Dog Realty a five-star Google review. Here's part of what they wrote:

"One thing that really stood out was how quickly and effectively they helped us navigate some unexpected foundation work that needed to be completed... We were able to use a HELOC to purchase our new home before our previous home had sold, and Curt and Heather helped us navigate that process with confidence. Having them involved in both transactions made what could have been a complicated situation much easier."

— John N., Glen Allen, Virginia (5-star Google review, September 2026)

Read more from our clients on the Two Dog Realty testimonials page.

Read the Full Case Study

The complete story, with the timeline and what we would tell another family in the same spot, is on our case study page: Glen Allen Buy-Before-Sell Case Study. You can also browse all of our case studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy a new home before selling your current one in the Richmond area?

Often, yes. This family used a home equity line of credit (HELOC) on their current home, a form of bridge financing that draws on the equity you already have, so they could buy first and sell afterward. A lender can tell you whether you qualify.

What happens if a crawl-space problem shows up right before closing?

It doesn't have to derail the sale. In this case we helped define a practical repair scope, found contractors who could start quickly, and kept every party informed, and the work was finished before closing.

Did the Glen Allen home still sell for asking price?

Yes. The family's former home closed at asking price.

What did this Glen Allen family say about working with Two Dog Realty?

In a five-star Google review, they said Curt Reichstetter and Two Dog Realty helped them handle unexpected foundation work without derailing the sale, connected them with lenders, and guided them through using a HELOC to buy their new Glen Allen home before the old one sold.