Relocation · Comparison
Keep-or-Sell Scenario Worksheet
Compare what selling your property could make available today with what keeping it might require — and potentially produce — over time. Rental cash flow, estimated equity, and estimated sale proceeds are shown as three different measures, never conflated.
Keep-or-Sell Scenario Worksheet
Estimates based on the values you enter. Nothing is sent or stored. No account or email required.
Updates as you enter values. Nothing is sent or stored. Use your browser's print or save-as-PDF for a copy.
What to confirm before deciding
- Renting
Verify realistic rental demand and market rent. - Renting
Review landlord insurance requirements. - Renting
Evaluate property-management options and costs. - Renting
Estimate maintenance and capital reserves. - Renting
Check applicable rental or HOA restrictions. - Renting
Review financing and tax implications of converting the property.
Should you keep your house or sell when moving?
It depends on what the move needs to accomplish and what each path makes possible. Selling can convert equity into cash available for the next home and end the property's responsibilities. Keeping can preserve ownership and a favorable mortgage, but ties up equity and adds landlord or holding obligations. The comparison that matters weighs cash flow, equity, liquidity, risk, and your household's priorities — not just estimated rent against estimated sale proceeds.
What is the difference between equity and sale proceeds?
Equity is the difference between a property's estimated value and the secured debt against it — a measure of what you own, not cash you can spend. Sale proceeds are the cash estimated to remain after a sale pays off debt, transaction expenses, and preparation. Equity stays tied to the property until a qualifying transaction (a sale or certain financing arrangements) makes it accessible. Two homes can show similar equity but very different available cash.
How do you estimate rental cash flow?
Start with potential gross rent, subtract a vacancy allowance to get effective income, then subtract operating expenses — property management, repairs, a capital-expenditure reserve, taxes, insurance, HOA, owner-paid utilities, leasing and turnover costs. That yields net operating income. Subtract annual mortgage debt service to get cash flow before taxes. Cash flow is not profit or total return: it excludes principal reduction, appreciation, and tax treatment, each of which is a separate consideration.
What expenses do new landlords often overlook?
Vacancy between tenants, turnover and leasing costs, a capital-expenditure reserve for roofs and major systems, management fees, and the difference between owner-occupied and landlord insurance. A rental that looks profitable at gross rent can produce a different result once realistic operating costs are included. This worksheet models those costs separately so they're visible rather than buried.
Does keeping a low-rate mortgage make financial sense?
A below-market rate can make keeping a property attractive, but the rate is only one factor. The decision also depends on the cash flow after all expenses, the equity tied up in the property, whether that equity is needed for the next home, and whether the household is prepared for landlord responsibilities. A low rate lowers carrying cost; it does not by itself make keeping the better choice.
How can keeping a home affect buying another?
A retained property's mortgage and expenses may count against you when a lender evaluates a new purchase, and estimated rental income is not automatically treated as qualifying income. Keeping can also mean carrying two homes at once. Whether buying before or while selling is feasible is a question for a qualified lender — this worksheet flags it but does not determine qualification.
What if the property is an inherited home?
Inherited property raises additional questions: confirmed ownership and authority, any estate or probate considerations, the property's obligations and carrying costs, and tax questions that may differ from a primary residence. The same keep-or-sell comparison applies, but the verification checklist is longer and may include legal and tax professionals.
What if you're reconsidering a short-term rental?
Short-term rentals can show strong gross revenue but carry higher vacancy, turnover, management, and regulatory exposure. Review actual occupancy and revenue history, local rental regulations, insurance requirements, and whether conversion to a long-term rental is feasible. The worksheet's vacancy and operating-expense fields are designed to surface those costs rather than let gross revenue stand in for cash flow.
What should you verify before becoming a landlord?
Realistic rental demand and rent, landlord insurance requirements, property-management options, maintenance and reserve needs, any rental or HOA restrictions, and the financing and tax implications of converting a residence to a rental. None of these are determined by this worksheet — they're flagged so you can confirm them with the appropriate professional before deciding.
Related guides & tools
The right property decision starts with the whole picture.
Selling can unlock equity and simplify your next move. Keeping can preserve ownership and create future possibilities. Understanding the numbers, responsibilities, and timing can help clarify which options deserve closer consideration. Jumpcity helps households understand their options, make a plan, and connect with the right professionals.
Estimates are illustrative, not appraisals or advice. Confirm material figures with the appropriate professional before acting. A comparison summary is not a professionally reviewed brief unless Jumpcity has reviewed it.
Related Guides & Tools
Keep Your Current Home or Sell It?
Organize sale proceeds and rental operating assumptions — and tell cash flow from return apart.
Read the GuideGuide · RelocationThe Two-Mortgage Guide
Understand what it means to carry two homes at once — in plain language, with the right questions to ask.
Read the GuideWant help putting this into perspective?
Bring your questions—and any results from this resource. We’ll help you understand how they fit your situation and what may need checking next.
Helpful when you're making the decision together.
Understanding Before Action.
A useful tool makes the tradeoffs easier to see. Your results are a starting point for questions, verification, and a more informed next step.