Rent or Sell Your Florida House? What to Do When Your Listing Won't Sell

House not selling in Florida? Before you drop the price again, compare your three real options: keep trying to sell, leave it empty, or rent it out.

Prefer to read? The key points are below.

Every option has a cost

• Leaving it empty: you still pay the mortgage, insurance, taxes, HOA and upkeep, with no income.
• Selling: fees, possible price cuts and timing you don't fully control.
• Renting: can help cover those carrying costs if it's set up the right way, with the right price, the right tenant and the right lease.

Questions to answer before you decide

• Can I rent it if I still have a mortgage? Many owners do. Check your loan terms with your lender.
• What about insurance? A standard homeowner's policy usually needs to change to a landlord (dwelling) policy. Talk to your agent.
• Will renting affect my homestead exemption? It can. Homestead is tied to your permanent residence. Check with your county property appraiser before you rent.
• Do I charge sales tax on rent? Short-term rentals (generally six months or less) are usually subject to Florida sales tax and local tourist taxes. Long-term residential leases generally are not. Confirm with a tax professional.
• What's a make-ready? It's the work that gets a house ready for a tenant: cleaning, repairs, safety items like smoke alarms, paint and yard care.

Get the free guide

Raul Veitia wrote How to Rent Out Your House in Florida, a free 10-page guide, to answer the questions owners ask him most:

• ✅ Rent vs. leave vacant vs. sell: the math, step by step
• ✅ Florida taxes and legal basics every new landlord should know
• ✅ A make-ready checklist to get your house ready for a tenant

Download the free guide → (short form, instant download, no obligation)

Want to run your own numbers? Try the Rent vs. Sell Calculator, or read Raul's longer take: Should I Sell or Rent My House in Central Florida?

Key takeaways

• An empty house still costs mortgage, insurance, taxes, HOA and upkeep.
• Renting can cover carrying costs when it's priced and set up correctly.
• Check your lender, insurance (landlord policy) and homestead status before renting.
• Free 10-page guide + free rental price analysis give you real numbers to compare.

FAQ

• My house isn't selling. Should I rent it or keep it listed?

  It depends on your mortgage, insurance, taxes, HOA fees, likely rent and your plans. Compare the rent vs. vacant vs. sell math.

• Can I rent out my Florida house if I still have a mortgage?

  Many owners do. Check your loan terms with your lender and switch to a landlord policy.

• Will renting affect my homestead exemption?

  It can. Check with your county property appraiser before you rent.

General information, not legal or tax advice. Check your loan terms with your lender, your insurance with a licensed agent, homestead questions with your county property appraiser, and tax questions with a tax professional.

Belmont Management Group · 1133 Louisiana Avenue, Suite 101, Winter Park, FL 32789 · (407) 745-0696 · Central Florida property management since 2009.