Real Estate Investing
Renting vs. Selling 101: The Homeowner’s Guide
Last Updated Dec 1, 2023
Choosing whether to rent out or sell your home is an important decision with lasting impacts on your wealth. This eBook includes advice from a CPA, asset manager, and realtors to help you understand the pros and cons of all your options.
Financial decisions can be intimidating in the best of circumstances, but they are especially so when it comes to real estate. Whether you’re actively trying to grow your investment portfolio, moving out of your first home and sad to leave it behind, or have inherited a property — deciding the best path forward may seem daunting.
That’s why we’ve interviewed some of the brightest and most experienced real estate and financial planning experts to bring you this no-nonsense, easy-to-understand and quick-to-read guide to renting vs selling your home.
How to Get Your Copy
You can access a copy of “Renting vs. Selling 101: The Homeowner’s Guide” anytime at this link. Read it online, print it, or share it as you like. Inside, you’ll find practical advice and a list of questions to consider to help you better understand your options.
What’s Inside
We cover the “must-knows” of several topic areas in this guide, including:
- Why you should consider both options before taking action
- A rent vs. sell cheat sheet with specific pros and cons to consider
- Detailed benefits and drawbacks of renting your property
- Specific benefits and drawbacks of selling your property
- Reflection questions about your unique financial decision to help you make the best long-term choice
Need One-on-One Help? Schedule a Complimentary Session
Belong is not a property management company. We’re the world’s first residential network, and we exist to combine rental home management with asset management, building wealth for our homeowners while taking great care of their residents.
As a service to current and potential Belong homeowners, we offer access to an asset manager’s advice for free. So if you’d rather not read our guide (or you just have more questions!), schedule some time to chat with us here and we’ll get you connected for a complimentary session with our asset manager.
See What Belong Homeowners Have to Say
One of the things that frankly really sold me on Belong was the concierge level services… They were just top-notch, first-class service. They just take care of things. It’s like having a second husband to just do the work for you!
Natalee C. | Belong ResidentMy relationship with Belong is that of a true partnership. You don’t have to really worry about anything. Knowing that Belong looks out for my best interests, as well as the resident's best interest really provides a comfort for me.
David P. | Belong HomeownerI realized belong was unique when I saw the care and attention that they gave. They were always following up, making sure our experience was going well.
Annette P. | Belong ResidentKnowing my home is loved and cared for by my residents is something that I really appreciate because I love my home and I love sharing it with somebody else…. As a homeowner, when I say that Belong handles everything, Belong really handles everything for me. So I just contact my concierge, and that's all I have to do.
Sandra G. | Belong HomeownerFast responses, professional.
Yangwei L. | Move-In Day June '20Fast responses, friendly conversations both over the phone and in person, overall a really nice experience. We spoke with Erin for our interview and she was both friendly and extremely well informed. I had some hesitations about sharing my personal info early in the process, but interacting with the Belong staff helped me get more comfortable.
Justin H. & Jessica A. | Move-In Day Mar '19Thank you for all of these details (regarding move in) - everything sounds so great and the level of responsiveness from you and the team is incredible. :)
Lauren S. | Move-In Day Sep '19All my questions were answered clearly.
Elisa A. | Move-In Day Nov '20I can't believe how seamless you make it for the landlords. Why would anyone want a different management company? Belong is amazing, and I can see how you guys will be extremely successful now and in the future. I will always recommend Belong to my family and friends :)
Frank | Belong HomeownerThe service from Belong is really professional. They answered and solved all of our questions and concerns. Before moving in, their strict checking is responsible for both the homeowner and resident.
Huiyuan Z. | Move-In Day Dec '20I raised an issue with the fridge service which was promptly responded to. A Pro was dispatched and within a week the parts arrived and the refrigerator was back up running.
Sand N. & Amani F. | Move-In Day Aug '20Doug was very friendly, did a great job with the inspection, and finished everything in a timely manner!
Paul C. | Working with Belong since Nov '20One of the things that frankly really sold me on Belong was the concierge level services… They were just top-notch, first-class service. They just take care of things. It’s like having a second husband to just do the work for you!
Natalee C. | Belong ResidentMy relationship with Belong is that of a true partnership. You don’t have to really worry about anything. Knowing that Belong looks out for my best interests, as well as the resident's best interest really provides a comfort for me.
David P. | Belong HomeownerI realized belong was unique when I saw the care and attention that they gave. They were always following up, making sure our experience was going well.
Annette P. | Belong ResidentKnowing my home is loved and cared for by my residents is something that I really appreciate because I love my home and I love sharing it with somebody else…. As a homeowner, when I say that Belong handles everything, Belong really handles everything for me. So I just contact my concierge, and that's all I have to do.
Sandra G. | Belong HomeownerFast responses, professional.
Yangwei L. | Move-In Day June '20Fast responses, friendly conversations both over the phone and in person, overall a really nice experience. We spoke with Erin for our interview and she was both friendly and extremely well informed. I had some hesitations about sharing my personal info early in the process, but interacting with the Belong staff helped me get more comfortable.
Justin H. & Jessica A. | Move-In Day Mar '19Thank you for all of these details (regarding move in) - everything sounds so great and the level of responsiveness from you and the team is incredible. :)
Lauren S. | Move-In Day Sep '19All my questions were answered clearly.
Elisa A. | Move-In Day Nov '20I can't believe how seamless you make it for the landlords. Why would anyone want a different management company? Belong is amazing, and I can see how you guys will be extremely successful now and in the future. I will always recommend Belong to my family and friends :)
Frank | Belong HomeownerThe service from Belong is really professional. They answered and solved all of our questions and concerns. Before moving in, their strict checking is responsible for both the homeowner and resident.
Huiyuan Z. | Move-In Day Dec '20I raised an issue with the fridge service which was promptly responded to. A Pro was dispatched and within a week the parts arrived and the refrigerator was back up running.
Sand N. & Amani F. | Move-In Day Aug '20Doug was very friendly, did a great job with the inspection, and finished everything in a timely manner!
Paul C. | Working with Belong since Nov '20One of the things that frankly really sold me on Belong was the concierge level services… They were just top-notch, first-class service. They just take care of things. It’s like having a second husband to just do the work for you!
Natalee C. | Belong ResidentMy relationship with Belong is that of a true partnership. You don’t have to really worry about anything. Knowing that Belong looks out for my best interests, as well as the resident's best interest really provides a comfort for me.
David P. | Belong HomeownerI realized belong was unique when I saw the care and attention that they gave. They were always following up, making sure our experience was going well.
Annette P. | Belong ResidentKnowing my home is loved and cared for by my residents is something that I really appreciate because I love my home and I love sharing it with somebody else…. As a homeowner, when I say that Belong handles everything, Belong really handles everything for me. So I just contact my concierge, and that's all I have to do.
Sandra G. | Belong HomeownerFast responses, professional.
Yangwei L. | Move-In Day June '20Fast responses, friendly conversations both over the phone and in person, overall a really nice experience. We spoke with Erin for our interview and she was both friendly and extremely well informed. I had some hesitations about sharing my personal info early in the process, but interacting with the Belong staff helped me get more comfortable.
Justin H. & Jessica A. | Move-In Day Mar '19Thank you for all of these details (regarding move in) - everything sounds so great and the level of responsiveness from you and the team is incredible. :)
Lauren S. | Move-In Day Sep '19All my questions were answered clearly.
Elisa A. | Move-In Day Nov '20I can't believe how seamless you make it for the landlords. Why would anyone want a different management company? Belong is amazing, and I can see how you guys will be extremely successful now and in the future. I will always recommend Belong to my family and friends :)
Frank | Belong HomeownerThe service from Belong is really professional. They answered and solved all of our questions and concerns. Before moving in, their strict checking is responsible for both the homeowner and resident.
Huiyuan Z. | Move-In Day Dec '20I raised an issue with the fridge service which was promptly responded to. A Pro was dispatched and within a week the parts arrived and the refrigerator was back up running.
Sand N. & Amani F. | Move-In Day Aug '20Doug was very friendly, did a great job with the inspection, and finished everything in a timely manner!
Paul C. | Working with Belong since Nov '20