Primary Residence to Rental - Advice on Next Step to Scaling

Primary Residence to Rental - Advice on Next Step to Scaling

Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2020 · 10 posts · 6 votes

Looking for advice on what my next step should be and how to expand my real estate portfolio. Bought my first house (primary residence) in Denver, May of 2021, 3bd x 1 bath, for $525k with $85k down at an interest rate of 3.25%. Current PITI just over $2250 with a balance of $415k. Redfin/Zillow show an estimated value of $600k. I have made some upgrades since living here, fully renovated the bathroom and laundry room, upgraded appliances, added a tankless hot water heater, and replaced all galv. pipe with pex. I think if I were to sell it now I could get around $600k, maybe just below.

My company is moving my family and I to NYC and will be covering our housing (rent) for at least a year. With my company paying for housing in NYC it seems to be a no brainer to rent my house in Denver. Looking at rentals in the area I think I could rent the house for somewhere between $2400-$2600, which doesn’t leave much room for maintenance, vacancy, and a property manager(assuming this is necessary since I will be so far away). If I was to return to Denver I wouldn’t look to live in this house.

Should I rent for the next 2-3 and sell just before the 2 of the last 5 years rule? Hold long term assuming renting is consistent? Or should I sell in the near future?

Don’t have another down payment saved at the moment but have some company stocks that will vest over the next few years that could amount to another down payment. Housing in the NYC area is obviously more expensive and will likely require a larger down payment.

Thanks

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Real Estate Agent · Colorado | stan.store/JamesCarlson · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
2y

@Kevin Brown

Don't sell. 

Denver was just ranked the hottest housing market in February. And while i haven't seen it reflected in the monthly reports, from helping some house hacking clients and some other first-time buyers in Denver lately, I can feel the market heating up -- more homes going in the first weekend, more going for over asking, more multiple offer situation. 

if you're breaking even, then great. If the market appreciates even a conservative 3% each year, you're home will be with $636,000 in two years.

You can always reecaluate in 2-3 years before the capital gains issue kicks in, but all signs are that homes in Denver will be go up in value between now and when you really need to make a decision. 

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  • Real Estate Agent · Colorado | stan.store/JamesCarlson · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y

    @Kevin Brown

    Don't sell. 

    Denver was just ranked the hottest housing market in February. And while i haven't seen it reflected in the monthly reports, from helping some house hacking clients and some other first-time buyers in Denver lately, I can feel the market heating up -- more homes going in the first weekend, more going for over asking, more multiple offer situation. 

    if you're breaking even, then great. If the market appreciates even a conservative 3% each year, you're home will be with $636,000 in two years.

    You can always reecaluate in 2-3 years before the capital gains issue kicks in, but all signs are that homes in Denver will be go up in value between now and when you really need to make a decision. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2020 · 10 posts · 6 votes
    2y

    @James Carlson

    Thanks for the advice, I also saw that article about the Denver market. I think it makes sense to at least try renting even if it will cost me a couple hundred per month. Others may disagree on that but rents may also increase which will put me in a better position in the future.

  • Real Estate Agent · Colorado | stan.store/JamesCarlson · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Kevin Brown:

    @James Carlson

    Thanks for the advice, I also saw that article about the Denver market. I think it makes sense to at least try renting even if it will cost me a couple hundred per month. Others may disagree on that but rents may also increase which will put me in a better position in the future.


     Totally agree. And if you really cared about increasing the cash flow, you could furnish it and rent as a medium-term rental. In our experience in Denver and Colorado Springs with midterms, it take 12-18 months for the extra income from it being an MTR to pay for the furnishings. Might not be worth it if you think there's a chance you'll sell in two years.

    Where in Denver is the home?

  • Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2020 · 10 posts · 6 votes
    2y

    @James Carlson

    SE Denver, the house is in unincorporated Arapahoe county which provides access to the cherry creek public school system vs Denver public schools which I also a see as a positive.

  • Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 351 votes
    2y
  • Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2020 · 10 posts · 6 votes
    2y

    @John Mason

    Thanks for the article

  • Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 351 votes
    2y
  • Member since 2023 · 7 posts · 1 vote
    2y

    Don't Sell! The real question here is whether you should Self-Manage or employ a Property Manager. If you were staying local(ish), Self-Managing could be a great option, but it depends on your REAL job and mental capacity. With the move to NYC in the mix, it is probably best to find a PM you trust to handle it for you. 

    As for the Capital Gains exclusion, talk to a CPA to fully understand how that works... But selling today might mean you get taxed on 100% of your Cap Gains. My understanding is that it needs to be your Primary residence for AT LEAST 2 of the last 5 years that you were the owner of the property. If I am right about the requirement of owning it for at least 5 years before this applies, then holding the property only makes that much more sense! At least hold it long enough (May 2026?) to hit that mark, then re-assess if you sell or maintain it as a long-term investment. If you sell at that point, you should see some appreciation and be able to benefit from at least 2/5 of the Cap Gains exclusion.

    Just be smart with your lease agreement so that you have the flexibility to sell when that time comes.

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