Home Sweet Home
When your home sits on the market longer than you expected, it gets frustrating quickly. At some point the question shifts from what do we do next to should we just rent it out instead. On the surface, that feels like a simple backup plan. In reality, becoming an accidental landlord is a much bigger decision than most people think. It usually happens when a seller doesn’t get the price or activity they were hoping for and pivots to renting. And it’s happening more often right now. If you’re in that position, you’re not alone. Data from Zillow shows that about 2.3% of rental listings were previously listed for sale, which is the highest share in nearly six years. That may sound small, but it’s a noticeable shift. Before you go down that path, it’s worth taking a step back and really looking at the full picture. First, does your home even make sense as a rental? That depends on your location, condition, and the current rental market. If you’re moving out of the area, you need a plan for handling maintenance. If the home needs work, you have to decide if you’re willing to put in the time and money. And just because you can rent it doesn’t mean it will rent for what you need, especially if there’s a lot of competition.
Then there’s the reality of being a landlord. On paper, it sounds like passive income. In practice, it’s not. It’s late-night repair calls, missed payments, turnover costs, and unexpected issues that don’t show up at convenient times. And of course, the numbers matter. Renting comes with added expenses like higher insurance, possible management fees, maintenance, marketing, and vacancy gaps where you’re still covering the mortgage with no income coming in. For some homeowners, that’s manageable. For others, it becomes more stress than it’s worth. Before making that call, it’s always a good idea to revisit your selling strategy. Sometimes the issue isn’t demand, it’s pricing, presentation, or marketing. Small adjustments can make a meaningful difference. Renting can absolutely be the right move in the right situation. But if you’re only considering it because your home didn’t sell, it’s worth taking a closer look first to make sure you’re not solving the wrong problem. Submitted by Christie Giannetto, REALTOR® ΓEAL Broker
REACH OUT TODAY! The consultation is always FREE and without obligation. You should know what your home is worth in today’s market! Christie Giannetto | REALTOR ® Christie@AZLifestyleTeam.com SurpriseMatters.com
602.740.2313
May 2026 9
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