Timing property purchase so I can move in when current lease ends

[David Toupin]

I currently rent a townhome, and I am planning on purchasing a property this summer to live in for a year, then rent out the following year.  My current lease ends the first week of August.  How do I time the purchase of the property so that I can move into it the first week of August?

I do not want to close a month early on a property and pay double rent for a month, and I don't want to close a month late and have nowhere to stay for a month.

When should I begin making offers on properties (may,june, july?) and what can I do to ensure that I close within a reasonable amount of time of my current lease end?  Is this something that an agent can help with?

Thank you!