Should I Sell Or Rent My House?

If you own your home and are thinking about moving, you may be debating about what to do with your house. You may be thinking about selling it - or renting it out for passive income. The best choice will depend on several factors, including your personal circumstances, the current market, interest rates, and your finances.

If you are weighing your options about selling or renting a home, an experienced Tampa property manager can help you consider the pros and cons. They can walk you through things like what the market in Hillsborough County is currently like for both rentals and home sales and the amount of rent you could charge for your property versus how much you could potentially sell your house for if you list it. They can also explain the realities of being a landlord and various options for property management.

Based in Lithia, Eaton Realty offers clients a full range of real estate services throughout West Central Florida. We can help you buy, sell, or rent a house - and can also assist you with managing a rental property. Reach out to schedule a consultation with a member of our team about your real estate needs.

When It Makes Sense to Sell Your Home

For many people, there isn’t really a question about the need to sell their home. Simply put, they might need to use the profits from the home sale to have a down payment or otherwise pay for their next house. They also may not be able to swing two mortgages, particularly if the house isn’t rented right away or stays vacant for an extended time.

Even if you don’t need the cash to buy a new house, selling your home may still be a good idea. This is particularly true in a hot housing market, where you stand to make a significant profit. In Tampa, buyers currently pay an almost 43% premium on houses. If you own a house in Tampa - and especially if you have owned it long enough for it to have appreciated significantly - then it could be foolish not to take advantage of a hot housing market.

Selling your house may also make sense from a tax perspective. Under IRS regulations, if you sell your primary residence, you may be able to exclude $250,000 to $500,000 of capital gains from the sale on your taxes. To be considered a primary residence, you must have lived in the house for at least 2 out of the last 5 years. If you wait too long to sell your house, you may have to pay taxes on any profits you realize from the sale.

It may also be a good idea to sell your house if you don’t want to be a landlord. Managing a rental property can be time-consuming, from screening tenants to marketing and making necessary repairs. Moving out of the immediate area and managing a property from afar can be even more challenging.

If you want to sell your house, it makes sense to reach out to a licensed realtor. They can help you understand the current market better. You can also consult a tax professional to learn more about how selling your house may affect your tax situation.

When Renting Your Home Might Be a Better Idea

In some situations, it makes more sense to rent your home than to sell it. For example, renting your house out is probably a smarter choice if your move is temporary. There are many costs associated with buying and selling a home, so if you plan on moving back to Hillsborough County, you may be better off putting your house up for rent.

Renting your house out might make good financial sense, too. First, you will be getting income from the rental property. This money can be used to pay your mortgage while you build equity. You may even beable to charge enough to have a passive income stream on top of paying your mortgage.

Second, if your home’s value is currently low relative to what you paid for it, waiting out the market by renting for a few years can be a smart move. Housing prices tend to be cyclical. If you can only break even or sell at a loss by putting your house on the market right now, then renting it out may ultimately lead to a higher sales price.

If the demand for rentals is high in your area, renting instead of selling may be a good idea. The Tampa area often has a strong market for rental properties - particularly around MacDill Air Force Base, due to the regular influx of new servicemembers. If you can likely keep your property rented out consistently - and for a good price - then renting may be a far better choice than selling.

Other Factors to Consider When Deciding Whether to Rent or Sell

Before making a decision about selling or renting your house, it is a good idea to carefully consider a range of factors. In particular, you should think about your financial situation and what you can and cannot afford.

What will happen if you lose your job or experience financial strain? Will you be able to maintain the rental property? Do you have enough savings to buy a second property and pay for two mortgages and any associated upkeep if a recession hits?

You should also think about the costs associated with selling versus renting. When you sell your home, you will incur expenses such as:

Home staging
Improvements to your home to get it ready for the market
A pre-listing inspection
A commission for the real estate agent
Closing costs
Paying off your mortgage

When you rent a home, you will have costs as well, including:

Ongoing mortgage payments (if you have a balance on your home loan)
Property taxes
Insurance
Maintenance and repairs
The costs associated with finding a tenant, such as listing on a website
Property management fees
Carrying costs if your house is vacant
Other costs, such as HOA fees or utilities

Think carefully about what you can afford - and whether it makes better financial sense to rent or sell your house.

You should also think about your lifestyle. Do you want to be a landlord? Do you want monthly cash flow or would you rather have a one-time payment from the sale of your home? While financial considerations are a huge part of this decision, weighing your life goals and interests is also important.

Whether You Sell Or Rent - Eaton Realty Can Help

The decision to sell or rent out your house is a big one - and it typically comes at a time when you are already facing other stressors, such as the need to move. A seasoned real estate agent can help you understand the benefits and advantages of each option so that you can make a more informed decision.

At Eaton Realty, we work with buyers, sellers, renters, and landlords throughout Hillsborough County, Florida. With more than 20 years of experience in West Central Florida real estate, we have in-depth knowledge of the Tampa-St. Pete housing market and can offer expert advice and guidance. To learn more about our real estate services, fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 813-672-8022 to talk to a team member.

The information disclosed above does not constitute legal or financial advice. Use this information at your own discretion and consult a legal or financial professional for further guidance.

Daniel Rothrock

Director of Property Mgmt., MPM

Daniel is the Director of Property Management at Eaton Realty. He is a Master Property Manager, whichis the highest level of recognition you can receive in the field. When he's not covering property management developments and insights on the Eaton blog or managing Eaton's property management team, Daniel can be found serving as the Southeast Regional Vice President/Ambassador for the National Association of Residential Property Managers. You can find Daniel on LinkedIn.