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The Global Insight

What should I do with my first rental property?

Author

Sarah Garza

Updated on March 13, 2026

When you buy your first property and rent it out, the cash flow it generates can usually be used to pay down the mortgage and pad the coffers of investors for years, if not decades. Buying your first rental property gives you the flexibility to sell when the time is right.

When does it make sense to sell your rental property?

Rental properties can be a lucrative investment, providing a steady stream of income from rent payments and price appreciation — that is, if everything goes according to plan. But for most owners, there eventually comes a time when it no longer makes financial or personal sense to hold onto a property.

What’s the difference between selling a rental property and selling a primary home?

When it comes to paying capital gains taxes, there are major differences between selling a rental property and selling your primary residence, says Sean T. O’Hare, a CPA with O’Hare Associates in New England.

Which is the best state to sell a rental property?

High taxes could minimize your profit and make selling worthwhile. If you do decide to sell, you could consider investing in a different market with lower property taxes. States with the highest effective property tax rates are New Jersey (2.25%), Illinois (2.22%) and Texas (2.18%).

Is it possible to rent out your first home?

It’s possible for homeowners of renting out a mortgaged home. You’ll need to check the fine print of your lending agreement to find out whether you’re allowed to make your first home a rental property. Some lenders have clauses against rental properties and others have stipulations that require you to wait a certain period.

Do you have to buy a home before buying a rental?

One of the biggest pitfalls that home buyers of any kind make is searching for a property before securing financing. Let’s say, after months of searching, you find the perfect rental property.

Why are first time home buyers investing in real estate?

Below we will discuss the reasons so many first time home buyers are investing in real estate, instead of going the traditional route of buying their first home. The first reason to consider buying an investment property before your first home is because home values are at an all-time high.