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[offthemarket]

If you want to avoid pain and annoyance, then you should get the place listed at the moment you move out. It'll be easier to sell the house if you've already left, and you won't have to deal with living there while it's being shown. You won't have to keep your house in pristine condition. 

[rachaeltalcott]

I was able to qualify to buy house number 3 (to go along with job number 3) in 2009 with 5% down, despite not having sold house 2.  I hadn't sold house 1 either, but the mortgage on it was paid off and it was rented.  I went through Quicken loans.  They required a lot of documentation but everything came together in the end.  If you want to buy right away, it may be possible.

In retrospect, I don't regret buying any of the three, despite the impracticality.  I need to have a space of my own and to be able to putter at will.