There is, of course, no one best across-the-board answer for every townhouse owner and every situation. Everyone’s situation, requirements, and expectations are unique. So we offer below some questions you can ask yourself to determine what’s best for you.

Should You Sell or Rent Your Townhouse in Baltimore?

Will it produce cash flow?

When considering your financial situation with regard to a property, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate all the expenses associated with it. This includes taking into account various factors such as utilities, mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, management costs, vacancy costs, repairs, HOA dues, and any other relevant expenditures. By carefully examining these expenses, you will be able to accurately assess the profitability of the property.

If, upon analyzing these costs, you realize that the potential profit from the property is minimal or there is a risk of facing a loss, it is advisable to consider selling the property instead. Selling could be a more viable option in such cases, as it allows you to avoid potential financial strain and seek better investment opportunities.

By carefully considering all the expenses associated with the property, you can make an informed decision about whether to continue holding onto it or to sell it. Assessing the financial viability of the property will enable you to make strategic decisions that align with your long-term financial goals.

Will I get a return on my investment?

When it comes to making a decision about selling your townhouse, it is important to carefully consider the return on investment (ROI). Selling a property involves various expenses such as closing costs, agent fees, and other sales expenses, which can significantly impact the final amount you receive from the sale.

Closing costs typically refer to the expenses associated with the transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer. These costs may include fees for the title search, title insurance, appraisal, attorney fees, and any outstanding taxes or liens on the property. On average, closing costs can amount to around 2-5% of the sale price of the property.

Agent fees are another aspect of selling a townhouse that can affect your ROI. When you work with a real estate agent to sell your property, they typically charge a commission based on the final sale price. The commission rates can vary, but it is common for agents to charge around 5-6% of the sale price. This percentage is split between the listing agent (who represents the seller) and the buyer’s agent.

Additionally, there are other sales expenses that need to be taken into account. These may include marketing and advertising costs to attract potential buyers, property staging expenses to enhance the appeal of the townhouse, and any necessary repairs or renovations to make the property more marketable.

Considering all these factors, it is estimated that selling a townhouse can result in a loss of around 10% off the top of the sale price due to closing costs, agent fees, and other sales expenses. This means that if you sell your townhouse for $500,000, you may end up with around $450,000 after deducting these expenses.

Therefore, it is crucial to carefully evaluate the potential ROI before deciding to sell your townhouse. You should assess the current market conditions, property value, and the overall financial implications to ensure that selling is the right choice for your investment.

Am I prepared to deal with tenants?

Being a landlord requires a certain level of preparedness and willingness to deal with tenants. It involves various responsibilities and challenges that you need to consider before making a decision on whether to sell or rent your townhouse in Baltimore.

Firstly, being prepared to deal with tenants means being ready to handle the day-to-day tasks of managing a rental property. This includes finding suitable tenants, conducting background checks, drafting lease agreements, collecting rent, and addressing maintenance issues. It also involves being available to respond to tenant inquiries, concerns, and emergencies promptly.

Additionally, as a landlord, you must be knowledgeable about local housing laws and regulations to ensure that you are in compliance. This includes understanding fair housing laws, eviction processes, and property maintenance standards. Failing to adhere to these regulations can lead to legal issues and financial penalties.

Being prepared to deal with tenants also means having the necessary financial resources to cover unexpected expenses. You may encounter situations where repairs or maintenance work is required, and it is your responsibility to address these promptly. Additionally, if tenants fail to pay rent or cause property damage, you need to be financially prepared to handle these situations without significant financial strain.

You need to assess your willingness to be a landlord. This involves considering the time and energy required to manage a rental property.

Are you willing to invest the time in advertising the property, showing it to potential tenants, and conducting regular property inspections?  Are you prepared to handle tenant disputes and resolve conflicts? These are important factors to consider as being a landlord can be time-consuming and may require significant effort.

You need to be able to effectively communicate with tenants, understand their needs, and address any issues that arise. This includes being patient and diplomatic when dealing with difficult tenants or challenging situations.

Being prepared to deal with tenants involves being ready to handle the responsibilities and challenges that come with being a landlord. It requires a good understanding of local housing laws, financial stability, time commitment, and effective communication and problem-solving skills. Assessing your preparedness and willingness to be a landlord is crucial in determining whether selling or renting your townhouse in Baltimore is the right choice for you.

What are the current market conditions and long-term outlook?

A primary consideration is the current market and the long-term outlook for the area where your property is located. You’ll need to look into the demand for similar rental properties in the immediate area. You will also need to determine the value of comparable properties (if you intend to sell) and the average rental rates for comparable properties (if you want to rent).

You will also need to check into the movement of property values. Are they improving or declining? If property values are going up, you might want to hang on to your townhouse and rent it in order to give it time to appreciate. If values are declining, you might want to sell while you can still make a profit and before the market declines below that point.

So, should you sell or rent your townhouse in Baltimore? Hopefully, these questions will help you arrive at the best answer for your unique situation.