If you’re debating whether to sell your home or keep it as a rental, both options can be smart—but they lead to different risks, timelines, and financial outcomes.
A rent vs sell calculator helps you compare both paths using realistic assumptions so your decision is based on numbers—not pressure or guesswork.
What the Calculator Compares
- Rent path: monthly cash flow after expenses, vacancy assumptions, maintenance reserves, taxes/insurance/HOA/management, and appreciation potential.
- Sell path: estimated sale price, commissions/closing costs, mortgage payoff, and estimated net proceeds you can redeploy.
Step 1: Gather Your Inputs
- Estimated sale price
- Mortgage balance and interest rate
- Projected monthly rent (realistic, current market)
- Property taxes, insurance, HOA, maintenance reserves
- Likely holding period if you keep it (3/5/10+ years)
Step 2: Run the Numbers
Run the calculator, then sanity-check rent and vacancy assumptions. The biggest errors come from overestimating rent and underestimating maintenance and turnover.
How This Often Plays Out in LA County
Within LA County, costs and tenant expectations can vary dramatically by area and property type. HOA fees, insurance, and maintenance expectations can tighten cash flow in highervalue submarkets—even when long-term appreciation is attractive. Use realistic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overestimating rent
- Ignoring vacancy and turnover costs
- Forgetting HOA and insurance changes
- Not budgeting maintenance reserves
- Underestimating the time cost of self-management
Want a Realistic Rent Estimate for Your Los Angeles County Property?
Use our free tools to estimate rent, then schedule a quick call to review pricing, costs, and your leasing timeline.
