Trish Sparling

11/03/2026

Most owners weighing "sell it or rent it out" start with two numbers: what the house would sell for, and what it would rent for. ⁣
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Those two numbers don't answer the question. ⁣
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What matters is what each path nets you over the years you'd actually hold it. On the sell side, that's the proceeds after commission, closing costs, and whatever it takes to get the deal done — and then what that equity goes on to do next. On the rent side, it's the mortgage plus property taxes, insurance, a maintenance reserve, a vacancy allowance, and management fees if you won't be handling it yourself. ⁣
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And a rental pays you in three ways that arrive at different speeds: monthly cash flow, the principal your tenant is quietly paying down, and appreciation over time. A house that barely breaks even each month can still be a strong hold. One that cash-flows can still be the wrong call if you need that equity for the next place. ⁣
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Run it with real local numbers for your specific house. Rent, taxes, and appreciation vary enough from one neighborhood to the next to flip the answer. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://trishsparling.myagent.site/sell-it-or-rent-it-out-how-to-decide-what-to-do-with-your-home-when-you-move/

10/29/2026

Keeping your old house and renting it out sounds simple. It's manageable — but five things change the day a tenant moves in, and every one of them is easier to handle before than after. ⁣
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🏦 Your lender — most primary-residence mortgages require you to move in and live there for a set period first. Confirm where you stand before you plan around it. ⁣
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🛡️ Your insurance — a standard homeowner's policy doesn't cover a home rented out long-term, and a landlord policy generally runs about 25% more. ⁣
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📋 Your HOA — rental caps, minimum lease terms, and approval processes are the reason some owners can't take this path at all. ⁣
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🔑 Your tenant — screening, a proper lease, security deposit rules, and your state's and city's landlord-tenant law. This is the part that goes wrong when it's rushed. ⁣
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⏰ Your time — a few hours a month in a quiet stretch, and whole days when something breaks or someone moves out. The 2 a.m. water heater call is real. ⁣
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Nothing on that list is a reason not to do it. All of it is a reason to do it on purpose. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://trishsparling.myagent.site/sell-it-or-rent-it-out-how-to-decide-what-to-do-with-your-home-when-you-move/

10/27/2026

Why are more owners asking whether to rent out the house they're leaving? ⁣
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Two things. Just over half of homeowners with a mortgage are carrying a rate below 4%, while a new loan today costs closer to 6.7%. That old rate is an asset, and selling means handing it back. ⁣
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And the market has loosened. There's more unsold inventory than there's been in over a decade, and homes are taking longer to move. ⁣
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Put those together and you get what now has a name: the accidental landlord — someone who listed, didn't get the number they wanted, and rented the place out instead. That group recently hit a three-year high. ⁣
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It's still a small slice of the market, and it isn't the right answer for everyone. But it's a real question now, and the owners who come out ahead are the ones who decide on purpose, before they list, with the numbers in front of them. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://trishsparling.myagent.site/sell-it-or-rent-it-out-how-to-decide-what-to-do-with-your-home-when-you-move/

10/22/2026

When people move, there's usually an assumption built in: you sell the house you're leaving and put the money toward the next one. ⁣
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More owners are pausing on that this year and asking a second question — should I sell it at all, or keep it and rent it out? ⁣
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We just published a post that walks through both paths: what each one actually nets you, what really changes the day you become a landlord, and when selling is simply the better call. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://trishsparling.myagent.site/sell-it-or-rent-it-out-how-to-decide-what-to-do-with-your-home-when-you-move/

07/09/2026

07/09/2026

It’s easy to get emotionally attached to a home fast — especially when it photographs well and checks your first few boxes. ⁣
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Before you fall in love, ask yourself these three questions: ⁣
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1. Does this home actually fit my daily life? ⁣
Think about commuting, storage, layout, parking, and how you’ll use the space. ⁣
2. Can I comfortably afford more than just the purchase price? ⁣
Look beyond the mortgage and think about utilities, insurance, taxes, maintenance, and moving costs. ⁣
3. Am I excited about the home — or just reacting to the pressure of the market? ⁣
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A competitive market can push buyers to move emotionally instead of strategically. ⁣
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The right home should make sense on paper and in real life. ⁣
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A little pause up front can save a lot of regret later.

07/07/2026

When buyers walk into a home, the little things shape the feeling faster than most sellers realize. ⁣
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Here are five details that make a home feel instantly inviting: ⁣
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1. Natural light and open blinds ⁣
2. A comfortable temperature ⁣
3. Clean, fresh-smelling air ⁣
4. Clear surfaces and uncluttered rooms ⁣
5. A layout that feels easy to move through ⁣
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None of these require a major renovation. But together, they change how a buyer experiences the space. ⁣
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That first impression matters. Buyers don’t just evaluate square footage and finishes — they pay attention to how a home feels in the first few minutes. ⁣
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If you’re preparing to sell, start with the basics before chasing bigger updates. Often, the easiest improvements create the strongest emotional response. ⁣
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Which one do you notice first when you walk into a home?

07/02/2026

Before a buyer ever steps through the front door, they’re already making judgments. ⁣
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In summer, curb appeal does a lot of heavy lifting. Buyers notice: ⁣
• Overgrown landscaping or clean edges ⁣
• The condition of the front door and entryway ⁣
• Dead patches in the lawn or fresh seasonal color ⁣
• Outdoor furniture and whether the space feels usable ⁣
• General signs of upkeep ⁣
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The good news is that curb appeal usually doesn’t require a huge budget. Mowing, trimming, mulching, pressure washing, and adding a few simple touches can change the entire first impression. ⁣
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When the outside feels cared for, buyers assume the inside has been cared for too. ⁣
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If you’re listing this summer, start at the curb. It sets the tone for everything that follows.

06/30/2026

Summer buyers often get labeled as casual, but in many markets the opposite is true. ⁣
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By June, a lot of buyers have already done the early work — they’ve talked to lenders, narrowed neighborhoods, and figured out what they can realistically afford. They’re not just browsing. They’re trying to make a move before vacations, lease renewals, relocations, or the next school year. ⁣
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That sense of timing matters. Serious summer buyers often make faster decisions because they feel the calendar more clearly. ⁣
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If you’re selling, this is a good reminder: don’t assume summer shoppers are less motivated. A well-presented, well-priced home can still move quickly when it matches what buyers are looking for. ⁣
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Let us know in the comments — do you think summer buyers are more serious or more selective?