Upsizing in Lakeville: Selling and Buying at the Same Time

Your family grew. Your house didn't. Here's how to make the move without the chaos.

See What Your Home Is Worth

When the house starts feeling small

It usually sneaks up on you.

The kids are sharing a room, and it's not working anymore.

Someone's on a work call from the kitchen table while someone else is trying to make lunch.

The garage holds one car, two bikes, a snowblower, and zero room to walk.

You know it's time. Then you look at what bigger homes cost, and the questions start. Do we sell first? Buy first? What if our house doesn't sell? What if we lose the one we want?

I'm Demyan Trofimovich. I live in Lakeville, and helping families here, and anywhere in Dakota County and the Twin Cities metro, sell and buy at the same time is one of the things I do most. This guide shows you how it actually works.

How to sell and buy at the same time in Lakeville

Upsizing is two deals that depend on each other.

Your current home is usually your down payment. That means how well it sells decides what you can buy next. Price it wrong or prep it poorly, and it doesn't just cost you money on the sale. It shrinks your options on the purchase.

Then there's timing. Sellers in Lakeville don't love offers that depend on another house selling. Buyers don't love waiting on you. Getting both sides to line up takes a plan, a good lender, and someone who's done it many times.

That's the job. Get the most for your current home, win the next one, and move once.

The upsizing process in Lakeville, step by step

1. Start with the home you have

What it's worth in today's Lakeville market, and what you'd net after selling costs. That number sets your budget.

2. Talk to a lender early

Can you qualify for the new home while still owning this one? Would a bridge loan or HELOC let you buy first? What's your payment in the price range you want? I can connect you with lenders who do this every week.

3. Pick your strategy

Sell first for a clean offer and a known budget, with a rent-back or a contingency that gives you time to find your next home.

Buy first if you can carry both homes for a bit. Your current home then sells vacant and staged.

Home sale contingency works best when your home is already listed and showing well, so the seller can trust it.

4. Prep and price to sell fast

When you're upsizing, speed matters more than the last dollar. A quick sale keeps your purchase on track.

5. Shop with a short list

Know your top three must-haves: bedrooms on one level, a finished basement, a three-car garage. You'll move fast when the right home shows up.

6. Line up the closings

Same day, or within a few days. I coordinate the agents, title companies, and lender.

7. Move once

One truck. One weekend. Kids in their own rooms.

Lakeville Neighborhoods With Bigger Homes

Where move-up buyers look in Lakeville

Lakeville has been growing for years, and that's good news if you need more room. You'll find everything from established neighborhoods with bigger lots to newer developments with open floor plans and three-car garages.

Want a neighborhood with a lot going on? Spirit of Brandtjen Farm has two pools, two clubhouses, trails, parks, and plenty of gathering spaces, plus a wide range of home sizes. It's a great fit if you want your next house to come with a more social neighborhood lifestyle.

Want newer, with room to grow? Avonlea offers open floor plans, modern kitchens, neighborhood trails, and quick access to shopping. Amelia Meadows has newer single-family homes with practical layouts, green space, ponds, and trails, often without stepping into a luxury price bracket. And if you want a brand-new two-story with more bedrooms, a home office, and room to entertain, compare the Reserve at Cedar Creek.

Want more house and a bigger homesite? Berres Ridge is worth a look for more square footage, a three-car garage, and semi-custom finishes. It's less about pools and clubhouses and more about the home itself.

Prefer an established neighborhood? Crossroads offers mature trees, more traditional lots, and homes that are already settled in. Stonebrooke is another resale area to keep on the radar if you'd rather not wait on new construction.

If Lakeville doesn't have the right fit at the right price, Farmington, Apple Valley, and Rosemount are all close by and worth comparing.

The Minnesota basement factor

In Lakeville, a finished lower level can change everything. It can add a bedroom, a rec room, an office, and a lot of value. Sometimes the right move is a home with an unfinished basement you can build out over time. We'll look at both.

Check the school district by address

Most of Lakeville is in ISD 194, but some Lakeville addresses fall into neighboring districts. If schools matter to you, always confirm the district for the specific home, not just the city.

Timing the Lakeville market

Spring is the busiest season here. More buyers, but also more competing listings. Listing in late winter or very early spring can put your home in front of motivated buyers before the market floods. Then you shop as the spring inventory arrives.

Outgrowing Your Home in Lakeville? How One Family Bought Bigger Without Moving Twice

Most families don't move because they stop liking their home. They move because life changes.

Some good friends of mine in Lakeville were blending two families, and suddenly the house that worked before didn't have room for everyone.

They knew it was time for something bigger. Then came the questions. Sell first or buy first? Can we use our equity for the next down payment? How do we avoid moving twice?

That's usually the part that keeps people stuck, even when they know they've outgrown their house.

It started with a conversation, not a For Sale sign

They were living in Avonlea and wanted to stay close to work, shopping, and the routines they already knew. Ideally, new construction. But they needed their equity to make it happen.

So we sat down first. What could their home realistically sell for? What would they walk away with? What could they comfortably spend next?

For them, selling first made the most sense, as long as we protected their ability to find the next home.

Getting the house ready was part of the strategy

I walked through the house with them. Declutter, remove personal items, paint a few rooms, handle some small updates. Nothing major, just enough to present it at its best.

Their home sold right away with multiple offers.

And we weren't just negotiating price. We negotiated a contingency that gave them time to find their next home before they had to complete the sale. No deadline with nowhere to go.

Then we found the right one

We narrowed the search to Glacier Creek. Close to work, convenient for everyday life, and not far from Avonlea.

They planned to build, but we found a spec home already under construction that checked almost every box, and they could still make a few changes to personalize it.

Because their house was already under contract, we weren't buyers with a house still to sell. That put us in a stronger position, and we worked out really favorable terms with the builder.

Two closings on the same day. One move.

No temporary housing. No storage unit. No carrying two homes.

It's been several years, and they're still happy there.

What I'd tell any Lakeville homeowner thinking about upsizing

The biggest mistake is assuming there's only one way to do it. Some families can buy first. Some need their equity first. Sometimes a contingency or a longer closing date is what makes everything line up.

Sometimes the plan takes 30 days. Sometimes it takes six months. Either way, it starts with a plan.

What my clients say

"Working with Demyan was honestly one of the best decisions we made during this entire process. Selling a home and buying another at the same time can be incredibly stressful, but he made it feel smooth and manageable from start to finish. From day one, he and his team were organized, proactive, and completely on top of the market. He helped us price our current home strategically, guided us on simple updates that would make a big impact, and handled the marketing beautifully. Because of his expertise and hustle, our home sold in record time, and we were truly happy with that. What impressed us even more was how quickly he pivoted to helping us find our new home. He and his team really listened to what we wanted, respected our budget, and didn't waste our time with properties that didn't fit. When the right home came along, he moved fast, negotiated confidently on our behalf, and kept everything on track through closing."Royston, Minneapolis & Rosemount

"Demyan navigated us through the current market seamlessly! He provided us with education every step of the way, making us feel confident in our decisions. Demyan knew how to prepare and sell our home in a competitive market where we received 12 strong offers. It is apparent he has great relationships with others in the business, which helped us secure a new construction home. Demyan knows this business and is passionate about helping clients. He will be there to guide and educate you in any real estate climate. We are so grateful to have worked with him."Anna & Connor, Maplewood & Cottage Grove

Upsizing FAQ

Can I buy a new home before selling my current one?

Often, yes. It depends on your income, your equity, and whether you can qualify while still owning your current home. A bridge loan or HELOC can cover the down payment until your home sells. Talk to a lender before you shop so you know which path is open to you.

What is a home sale contingency, and will sellers accept it?

It's an offer that depends on your current home selling by a certain date. Some sellers won't consider it. Many will if your home is already listed, priced well, and getting showings. The stronger your home looks on paper, the stronger your contingent offer looks.

Which Lakeville neighborhoods have bigger homes?

It depends on what you want. For pools, clubhouses, and trails, Spirit of Brandtjen Farm. For newer homes with room to grow, Avonlea, Amelia Meadows, and the Reserve at Cedar Creek. For more square footage and three-car garages, Berres Ridge. For mature trees and established lots, Crossroads and Stonebrooke.

Can I buy new construction in Lakeville while selling my current home?

Yes, and it can work in your favor. Builders often have spec homes already under construction, and if your current home is already under contract, you're a stronger buyer who can negotiate better terms. If you're building from scratch, the longer timeline can give you time to sell, but plan the dates carefully with your lender.

What's a rent-back, and how does it work?

It's an agreement that lets you stay in the home after closing, usually for a few days to a few weeks. You pay the buyer a daily rate or a set amount. It's written into the purchase agreement, so it needs to be negotiated early.

When is the best time of year to upsize in Lakeville?

Spring has the most homes for sale and the most buyers. Many families list in late winter, then shop as spring inventory comes on. If school timing matters, aim to close in early summer.

About Demyan

I'm Demyan Trofimovich, owner of Trofimovich Group at eXp Realty. I've been helping Minnesota families buy and sell homes for over 10 years. I'm a 5x eXp ICON Agent, I sell about 50 to 60 homes a year, and I rank in the top 5% of agents in Minnesota.

I live in Lakeville with my wife and our two kids. This isn't just where I work. It's home.

Keep exploring: Downsizing Guide · First-Time Home Buyers · Relocate to Minnesota · Living in Lakeville