Mission Highlands · Trading Up
Trading up in Mission Highlands
A clear plan for selling and buying at the same time, so you aren't stuck between two homes.
Moving up in Mission Highlands
Mission Highlands is a classic Orcutt move-up neighborhood, with spacious, well-kept homes, mature landscaping, and foothill views. It carries a Santa Maria mailing address.
More house means more to check. I look at the roof, systems, and foundation before you commit.
The hard part is the two transactions
Wanting more house is easy. A home office, room for parents, a bigger yard, or space you can finally afford. The hard part is selling one home and buying another without getting stuck in between.
Sell first and you might have nowhere to go. Buy first and you might own two homes at once. That fear freezes a lot of people. Don't panic. With a written plan for the order and the timing, it's very doable.
How I plan both sides as one move
Your equity, protected. If you're open to it, my contractor's walkthrough gives you a Fix/Skip list for your current home, so you don't over-spend getting it ready. Your EPIC Report gives you three prices with the trade-offs written out. See how the EPIC Report works.
The right order. Sell first, buy first, or line them up. We decide together based on your equity, your financing, and your comfort with risk. Your lender can tell you which financing options fit.
The tools that help. Contingent offers, rent-backs that let you stay after your home sells, and closings timed close together.
A plan B in writing. If your home sells faster than expected, or the next one takes longer to find, we already know what happens next: a rent-back, a short-term rental, or a pause on the search. Nobody has to decide that in a panic.
A contractor's eye on the next one. A bigger house can mean bigger surprises. I look at the roof, foundation, plumbing, and electrical before you commit, and I always recommend a professional inspection too.
Two closings, coordinated
Your current home gets the same full marketing as any listing, and I check every buyer and their lender before an offer reaches you. On the purchase side, earnest money goes to escrow, usually within three to five days, and the inspection period is usually 17 days.
I keep both timelines on one calendar, so you know where each home stands every week. Read the full trading-up plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mission Highlands in Orcutt or Santa Maria?
It's an Orcutt neighborhood with a Santa Maria mailing address.
Can I make an offer on a Mission Highlands home that depends on selling mine?
Yes, that's a contingent offer. Whether a seller accepts one depends on the market and the home. I'll help you make it as strong as possible.
Should I sell first or buy first in Mission Highlands?
It depends on your equity, your financing, and how much risk you're comfortable with. We'll lay out both options with your numbers before you decide.
What is a rent-back?
An agreement that lets you stay in your home for a short time after it sells, so you aren't rushed out before your next home closes.
Mission Highlands
What trading up looks like in Mission Highlands
Spacious homes, mature landscaping, and foothill views, close to Old Town Orcutt.
Mission Highlands is a desirable, established Orcutt neighborhood with a Santa Maria mailing address. It's known for its spacious homes, well-kept properties, mature landscaping, and peaceful residential feel.
You get beautiful foothill views and easy access to Old Town Orcutt, shopping, dining, and local schools, with a blend of comfort, privacy, and Central Coast charm.
- The homes
- Spacious, well-kept homes with mature landscaping and foothill views.
- Nearby
- Old Town Orcutt, shopping, dining, and local schools.
The method
How we do it in Mission Highlands
Trading Up: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Lisa Bognuda?