What Now...My House Won't Sell?
Selling your house is a big step, and you want it to go smoothly. And with houses taking a little longer to sell these days, renting it out might start to sound like a nice backup plan.
But the reality is, while renting can work well for some people, it’s also a big commitment. So before you decide, it helps to see the whole picture first.
Why Some Sellers Are Deciding To Rent Instead
Lately, some sellers are choosing to hang on to their houses and rent them out instead. According to Parcl, around 9% of homes for rent right now were previously up for sale.
Here’s why.
Some homeowners put their houses on the market expecting a faster process than they got or a certain buyers didn’t respond to. And when things didn't go exactly as planned, they decided to rent instead. As Kara Ng, Senior Economist at Zillow, explains:
“Bargaining power is tilting toward buyers and homes are taking longer to sell, making renting out a property one way to buy time rather than compete aggressively on price.”
But here's the important distinction. Just because some sellers are choosing to rent doesn't mean selling isn't working. In many cases, the difference comes down to how well a house is priced, prepared, and marketed for today's buyers.
Parcl data shows where these “accidental landlords” – owners who planned to sell but decided to rent instead – are most common (see graph below):
They make up around 17% of homes for rent in places like Sherman and Houston, TX, but less than 4% in markets like Des Moines, IA and Bloomington, IN.
That's a pretty big difference. And it shows why you have to know what's happening in your neighborhood. Your market, your asking price, and your strategy all play a role in how your sale goes.
A local agent can show you how houses like yours are selling, what strategies work best, and help you weigh your options – not to push you to sell, but so you at least have the full picture based on today’s market. And part of making an informed decision is understanding what renting your house would actually take.
What Being a Landlord Actually Looks Like
While renting might sound like easy passive income on paper, in practice, it’s a hands-on job with rules to follow. As Invest West Management puts it:
“Even if you never intended to become a landlord, the law still sees you as one — and you must meet all legal obligations that come with that role. This often includes registering the tenancy, providing tenants with certain disclosures, and ensuring the property meets safety standards.”
You’d also be the one chasing missed rent payments, fixing damage between tenants, and covering unexpected repairs. Not to mention fielding weekend calls about leaky dishwashers or broken AC units.
There are expenses beyond regular maintenance and repairs, too. According to Bankrate, these are a few of the biggest:
Insurance premiums (landlord insurance typically costs about 25% more than a standard homeowners policy)
Management fees (if you hire a property manager, they usually charge around 10% of the rent)
Gaps between tenants, when you pay the mortgage without rental income
How To Give Your House a Strong Start
If you want to be a landlord and you're prepared for the responsibility, renting may be a great fit. But if you'd really rather sell, don't let today's market convince you that you can't.
A great agent can make it happen. The key is having an open conversation up front with your agent about pricing and how to market your house. Nailing those details from day 1 helps your house make a great first impression, so renting doesn’t have to be your fallback.
Bottom Line
Renting can be a good fit for the right person with the right house, but it isn’t the only option. A smart sales strategy can help your house stand out to buyers from day one.
So, if you’re on the fence, let’s sit down and compare what selling and renting would each look like for you.
Today's Active Homes For Sale
In Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties
2688 v (12)
Low $50,000 - High $9,900,000
Above $600,000
532 v (4)
$500,000 - $599,999
192 (0)
$400,000 - $499,999
369 v (5)
$300,000 - $399,999
712 v (2)
$200,000 - $299,999
574 v (4)
$100,000 - $199,999
271 ^ (1)
Under $99,999
38 ^ (2)
RED is UP Black Remained the Same Green is DOWN
Current Mortgage Rate
30 YR Fixed 7.36% (-.04%) 15 YR Fixed 7.00% (-.04%)
Current Realtor Membership
3106 Agents (Pensacola Assioation of Realtors)
Current Mortgage Rates
Florida
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Think You're Smart?
Done...What Most Religions Don't Tell You About The Bible
Cary Schmidt's Introduction of Done
Don't Worry About Dying...You Will Live Forever...
It's All About Location, Location, Location!
God gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ for us to be saved from this sinful world. Time is at Hand and while it is not too late, secure your salvation.
If you don’t know how to secure salvation, this simple easy to follow “ABCs of Salvation” will guide you on how to accept genuinely Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior to secure salvation for you to surely go to Heaven.
But before going through the steps you might ask: Why do I need to Secure Salvation? And why do I need to go to heaven? This because:
You might be wealthy but it cannot be exchanged for your soul.
Whatever you have here on earth, they are nothing and there is no forever on Earth.
Kingdom of Heaven is more valuable than anything else.
It is appointed that we will die physicaly and we will be judged (Hebrews 9:27).
You only have two destinations: Heaven or Hell
Hell has no exit and Heaven has only one door – Jesus
So how to secure salvation?
A – ADMIT that you are a Sinner
B – BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ
C – CONFESS with your mouth
D – DEPART from evil
A – ADMIT that you are a Sinner
We all have sinned.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
And no matter how you try to be good, you will still fail.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;Romans 3:23 KJV
You are still unclean.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.Isaiah 64:6 KJV
B – BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ
God gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to save us. And through His blood, our sins washed away.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.John 3:16 KJV
Only by His grace and not by works.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV
There is no other way but only through Jesus Christ alone.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.John 14:6 KJV
God commended His love toward us.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.Romans 5:8 KJV
If we have Jesus Christ living in us, we will live eternally.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.1 John 5:12 KJV
In the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.1 Corinthians 5:3-5 KJV
By the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.Titus 3:5-7 KJV
C – CONFESS with your mouth
Now that you accepted that you are a sinner and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, confess with your mouth your sins and that you believe in Him. Let Him come to you and accept Him as your Lord and personal Savior.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9 KJV
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:9-11 KJV
Now do the Sinner’s Prayer:
Holy, thoughtful, gracious, and Heavenly Father, I recognize and acknowledge I am a miscreant not deserving of your grace and I ask forgiveness of my sins. I know your son is the truth the light and the way, I give myself freely to His control and welcome him into my heart. I ask you to walk with me and guide me, teach me your way and your truth. Thank you for the gift of your Son’s sacrifice on the cross that I may live. Thank you for your forgiveness and for accepting me as your child. Amen.
Now that you are saved and you have Jesus Christ living in you, you should not stop there. What is next? Follow Him, His words, submit yourself, and don’t forget to
D – DEPART from evil
This is not part of the step to secure salvation but it is a way of proving yourself that you are now truly of Christ. Forget your past and follow Him.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.Psalms 34:14 KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV
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This article provides information and opinions but is not meant as investment advice. Skip Geiser LLC, Charles "Skip" Geiser, Plum Tree Real Estate Marketing or Rob Brooks Realty does not assure the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions presented here. It is important to conduct your own research, due diligence, and seek professional advice before making any investment decisions. Skip Geiser LLC, Charles "Skip" Geiser, Plum Tree Real Estate Marketing or Rob Brooks Realty is not responsible for any loss or damage resulting from relying on the information or opinions in this article
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