Sell A Rental Property Fast (Even with Tenants)
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Selling a Rental Property with Tenants
Video transcript
Do you want to know How to Sell a Rental Property with Tenants?
Hi, I am Jessica with SolidOffers. I am here today to answer the most common questions from landlords like how to sell, how long it take to sell, and can I sell with no paying tenants.
Many landlords are coming to us asking, "Is it better to sell with or without a tenant?"
If you want to put your rental on the market, the answer is: without a tenant. But you can't just tell them to leave.
First, are they on a lease? If yes, you probably have to honor the entire lease or sell to whom will continue to honor it.
If they are month-to-month, in most cases, you can give a notice to terminate their tenancy. Most states require a 30-day notice. Others, like Delaware and California, it's up to 60 days, or even to 120 days if in the District of Columbia.
After they leave, you still need to get the property ready to show and sell, which means repairs, cleaning, maybe staging, and, of course, photos. All this takes about 15 days or longer.
And even if you immediately get offers, it will take 30 to 45 days in escrow. So if all goes well, expect to finally sell and get paid in 75 days to 180 days. But not all landlords can afford to wait this long.
The other option is to sell with a tenant.
Let's be clear. Only investor buyers will make offers on a tenant-occupied property. So don't lose 6% of the sale price by listing it. Sell it directly to an investor and close within a month or less.
At SolidOffers, we screen all investors to protect you from any scams or fraud. Your House Selling Specialist will find the ideal investor buyer for your rental and current situation.
Another common question we get is: "Can I sell if the tenant is not paying?"
The short answer is Yes. However, you do need to disclose this information upfront. But worry not. We have plenty of buyers who will purchase your property even if your tenants aren't paying.
We have seen it all: non-paying tenants, squatters, damage, piles of trash, with financial or legal issues, you name it. We can help you sell your rental, just fill the form or call us. We're here to help.
How to Sell Rental Property
The two common approaches to selling your investment property: hiring a real estate agent or selling for cash to a real estate investor. But there is a third option that helps defer taxes, so you keep more of your sale proceeds. It’s called seller financing.
Traditional Sale | Cash Offer | Seller Financing | |
Commissions & fees paid by you | 6% avg. | 0% | 0% |
Closing costs paid by you | 2% avg. | $0 | $0 |
Repairs to home paid by you | Negotiated during sale | $0 | $0 |
Inspection & Financing Contingencies | Yes - causing up to 15% of sales to fall through | No contingencies | No contingencies |
Appraisal | Sale is subject to appraisal | No appraisals | No appraisals |
Number of Showings | 7 to 15 | 1 (sometimes virtual) | 1 (sometimes virtual) |
Closing Date | 30 to 60 days after accepted offer | You choose | You choose |
Tenant-occupied | No - unless you sell to an investor | Yes - sell with tenants, even if non-paying | Yes - sell with tenants, even if non-paying |
Type of payment | Lump sum | Lump sum | Down payment and remainder in installment |
Expected Taxes |
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Seller financing is not limited to one property and can apply to a primary residence as well. Learn more about the Advantages and Disadvantages of Seller Financing and how it compares to a Lump-Sum Sale.
Will I Owe Capital Gains Tax on Selling Rental Property?
Depending on your income, it is likely that you’ll have to pay capital gains tax on the sale of your investment properties. Whether you’ll pay hefty capital gains taxes or minimal depends on certain factors. Capital gains taxes are based on how much the property sold for BUT the tax rate depends on how long you held the investment property. Short-term capital gains apply if you owned the property for less than a year, in which case you’ll pay the top tax bracket which can max out at 37%.
You can defer capital gains taxes or at least lessen the tax bill a few ways. It’ll require good financial sense, researching tax rules and the Internal Revenue tax code, and maybe seeking counsel from a trusted tax professional, but it’s better than taking a tax hit. Seller Financing can help you avoid capital gains taxes.
How to Sell an Inherited Rental Property?
Selling inherited property is not that different from selling a personal residence, with the exception here being you inherited a rental property. You can decide to be the new owner and collect rent, giving you some cash flow, but you also become responsible for maintenance and upkeep, and multiple taxes, including property taxes and rental income.
Selling inherited rental property is the best way to free yourself from the hassle of being a landlord. The net worth is the value of your real estate assets minus what is owed and needed repairs. If it turns out the rental you inherit has a mortgage or liens, or is behind in rent payments, or has no rental income, or needs repairs, your best option is to sell fast rather than continue to lose more money.
How Much is My Rental Property Worth?
Calculating the purchase price of a rental property takes various elements into account, including location, size, age, condition, amenities, market, and occupancy. The real estate market is a significant factor in the type of property, single-family or multi-family, and how desirable the area is.
If your investment property has a renter, that can be a plus if they are in good standing. However, selling a house with tenants who are not paying will have the opposite effect, but you can still sell to a real estate investor. You can also sell as is, with zero repairs and improvements, and avoid agent commissions, which saves you money.
FAQs About Selling a Rental Property to Investors
My tenant filed bankruptcy to stop eviction. Can I still sell my rental property?
Yes. We will need to know more details about the current situation, but we have investors who buy rental houses even if the tenant has filed Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 and is under the Automatic Stay.
The tenants vacated and left furniture and trash everywhere. Do I need to clean the property?
Investors buy houses As-Is, which include left behind furniture, clutter, and trash. You don't worry about cleaning or any form of maintenance. Repairs and renovations are also unnecessary. The investor will take care of everything after closing.
There are liens on the property. Do I need to pay for these before the sale?
It depends on the buyer. Some investors will take responsibility for all and get a discount. Or, you will pay all liens and debts at closing using the cash offer or down payment.
How can I sell my rental property without paying capital gains taxes?
The tax amount you are expected to pay depends on your income bracket, depreciation deductions you claimed during your ownership, and the methods you plan to use to minimize tax payments.
Many landlords choose to use an installment sale, a form of seller financing, to reduce the amount of tax owned when selling the rental property. If you use this method, you may still pay tax, but the payments are lower and spread out over time. You can also offset these capital gains with losses.