We want to buy a new home but do not need to sell our existing home for about 6 months. This is because I work in the same city as the house but will retire to the new home early next year. My partner will spend some time in the new house as there is some renovation needed. Can we keep our existing home as our main residence and are therefore exempt from CGT when we sell early next year? We are not buying a second home or buy to let (no mortgage required either) just want to wait a while to sell . We will obviously make the new home our main residence when our existing house is sold. I understand extra stamp duty can be claimed back in 3 years.