Free calculator
Should you rent out your house — or sell it?
Compare the two paths side by side: keep the house as a rental (cash flow + appreciation + equity) versus sell now and invest the proceeds. Built for Maryland owners deciding what to do with a house they've outgrown.
If you rent it out
$268,553
estimated wealth after 5 years — equity + appreciation + cash flow
Estimated monthly cash flow: -$52/mo after vacancy, maintenance, our 10% fee, and your payment.
If you sell now
$209,310
$164,000 net proceeds (after ~8% selling costs) invested at 5%/yr for 5 years
Renting comes out ahead by $59,243 in this scenario. Assumptions: 8% selling costs, 5% vacancy, 8% maintenance, 10% management, no principal paydown or tax effects (both usually favor renting). Estimates only — not financial or tax advice.
FAQ
Rent-or-sell questions
Should I rent out my house or sell it?＋
It usually comes down to three numbers: your monthly cash flow as a rental (rent minus vacancy, maintenance, management, and your mortgage payment), your home's likely appreciation, and what you'd earn investing the sale proceeds instead. This calculator compares those side by side. Accidental landlords — owners who moved but kept the old house — are often surprised which way it goes.
What does it cost to sell a house in Maryland?＋
Plan on roughly 7–9% of the sale price all-in for agent commissions, transfer taxes, and closing costs. The calculator uses 8% as its default.
What if my rental cash flow is negative?＋
Negative monthly cash flow doesn't automatically mean selling is better — appreciation and equity can still outweigh it — but it does raise the bar. Get a real rent number with a free rental analysis before deciding either way.
Want the rent number to be real instead of a guess? Get a free rental analysis — we'll send a rent range with comparables, usually the same day.