What you need to know: Our EasyPath program costs $2,500 flat with 0% interest. Most alternatives charge 1.9%-3.5% of your home’s value. For a $750,000 home, that’s $2,500 vs. $14,250-$26,250. We’ll walk you through how each option works so you can choose the structure that fits your situation.
What Is a Buy-Before-You-Sell Program?
A buy-before-you-sell program helps homeowners purchase their next home before selling their current one. These programs address two common challenges:
- The down payment challenge: Your equity is tied up in your current home
- The qualification challenge: Most buyers can’t qualify for two mortgages at once
Each program works differently. Some provide bridge loans with interest charges. Others use guaranteed purchase contracts that eliminate your current mortgage from debt calculations. Understanding these differences can save you tens of thousands of dollars.
Quick Comparison: 2026 Buy-Before-You-Sell Programs
| Program | Fee Structure | Sell Timeline | Interest Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JVM EasyPath | $2,500 flat | 180 days | 0% | Buyers with 25%+ equity who need qualification help |
| Homeward | 2.5%-3.5% of home value | 180 days | Varies | Buyers who need equity advance for down payment |
| Knock | ~2.48% APR on bridge | Variable | 2.48%+ | Markets where Knock operates |
| HomeLight | Varies by program | 90-120 days | Varies | Buyers wanting full-service solution |
| Hurst Lending | Loan-based | Variable | Market rates | Buyers needing flexible loan terms |
Total Cost Comparison: Real Numbers
Scenario 1: $500,000 Current Home Value
| Program | Fee/Cost | 6-Month Interest | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EasyPath | $2,500 | $0 | $2,500 |
| Homeward (2.5%) | $12,500 | Varies | $12,500+ |
| Homeward (3.5%) | $17,500 | Varies | $17,500+ |
| Knock (2.48% APR) | Points + interest | ~$6,200 | $8,000+ |
| Traditional Bridge (10%) | 1-2% origination | ~$25,000 | $30,000+ |
Scenario 2: $750,000 Current Home Value
| Program | Fee/Cost | 6-Month Interest | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EasyPath | $2,500 | $0 | $2,500 |
| Homeward (2.5%) | $18,750 | Varies | $18,750+ |
| Homeward (3.5%) | $26,250 | Varies | $26,250+ |
| Knock (2.48% APR) | Points + interest | ~$9,300 | $12,000+ |
| Traditional Bridge (10%) | 1-2% origination | ~$37,500 | $45,000+ |
Scenario 3: $1,000,000 Current Home Value
| Program | Fee/Cost | 6-Month Interest | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EasyPath | $3,500* | $0 | $3,500 |
| Homeward (2.5%) | $25,000 | Varies | $25,000+ |
| Homeward (3.5%) | $35,000 | Varies | $35,000+ |
| Knock (2.48% APR) | Points + interest | ~$12,400 | $16,000+ |
| Traditional Bridge (10%) | 1-2% origination | ~$50,000 | $60,000+ |
*EasyPath fee is $3,500 for homes valued over $1.3M
View mortgage rates for February 15, 2026
How Each Program Works
JVM Lending EasyPath
How it works: EasyPath partners with an investor who signs a guaranteed contract to purchase your home. This contract allows lenders to exclude your current mortgage payment from debt-to-income calculations, making it easier to qualify for your new home.
The structure: The investor collects a flat fee and hopes they never actually have to buy any homes. In most cases, homeowners sell within the 180-day window and the investor simply cancels their contract. That’s the model.
Key features:
- $2,500 flat fee
- 180 days to sell your home
- No funds are lent to you from EasyPath meaning:
- There is no interest accrued on EasyPath
- There are no montly payments due to EasyPath
- Keep 100% of sale profits if you sell within 180 days
- Keep 90% if the investor purchases and resells
Requirements:
- Minimum 25% equity in current home
- Minimum 3% down payment on new home
- Primary residence only
- Conventional, jumbo, and VA loans eligible
Where we operate: AZ, CA, FL, GA, ID, IL, LA, MA, OR, TN, TX
Homeward
How it works: Homeward provides an “equity unlock” that lets you access your home’s equity before selling. You make a contingency-free offer on your new home, then have time to sell your old one.
Fee structure:
- 5% of home value if using Homeward Mortgage
- 5% of home value if using another lender
- Additional 1% per month if extending past 90 days
Knock
How it works: Knock’s Home Swap program provides a bridge loan to cover your down payment and mortgage payments while you sell. They use a rent-back model where you may temporarily rent your new home.
Fee structure:
- Bridge loan at approximately 2.48% APR
- Example: $150,000 bridge loan = $151,850 repayment
HomeLight Buy Before You Sell
How it works: HomeLight unlocks a portion of your equity upfront so you can make a strong offer on your next home without a sale contingency.
Fee structure: Varies by program and situation.
Which Program Fits Your Situation?
EasyPath may work well if:
- You want the lowest total cost
- You have at least 25% equity in your current home
- You don’t need cash from your equity for the down payment (or can pair with a HELOC)
- You’re in a state where we operate
Homeward may work well if:
- You need to access your equity as cash for the new down payment
- You’re comfortable with 2.5-3.5% fees for that access
- You want a full-service platform
A traditional bridge loan may work well if:
- You need more than 75% of your home’s value
- Your situation doesn’t fit other program requirements
- You understand the higher costs and are comfortable with them
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it typically cost to buy before selling?
The least expensive option is typically EasyPath at $2,500 flat with 0% interest. Traditional bridge loans often cost $30,000-$60,000+ for a typical home when you factor in origination fees and 10%+ interest rates over 6 months.
What credit score do I need for a buy-before-you-sell program?
Requirements vary by program. EasyPath focuses primarily on equity (25% minimum) rather than strict credit requirements. Traditional bridge loans typically require credit scores of 700+.
What happens if my house doesn’t sell?
With EasyPath, if your home doesn’t sell within 180 days, the investor purchases it at the agreed value (typically 75% of market value) and resells it themselves. You receive 90% of net profits from that sale.
Is a buy-before-you-sell program the same as a bridge loan?
Not exactly. Traditional bridge loans charge interest throughout the holding period. Programs like EasyPath use guaranteed purchase contracts instead, which cost a flat fee with no ongoing interest.
How long does the approval process take?
We can typically provide EasyPath pre-qualification within days of application. The full process from application to closing can happen in as few as 14 days.
What To Do Next
If you’re considering buying before selling and want to understand your options, we can run a quick scenario based on your specific numbers. We’ll look at your equity position, timeline, and goals, then outline 2-3 clean paths so you can choose the structure that fits.
Contact us at (855) 855-4491 to start a conversation.
At JVM Lending, we help buyers, homeowners, and investors make confident decisions in the evolving housing market. Whether you are purchasing, refinancing, or planning ahead, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
