The residential housing market is changing. Rising interest rates, limited housing inventory and high rent growth have squeezed both buyers and sellers. In this environment, sale‑leaseback transactions have emerged as a practical option for homeowners and a unique opportunity for investors. Through our collaboration with RHOME’s property management team, Sell2Rent now offers a service that combines the flexibility of leasebacks with best‑in‑class professional management.
Why partner with RHOME and Sell2Rent?
RHOME is a full‑service property management firm that handles leasing, rent collection, maintenance and tenant screening for single‑family, multifamily and commercial properties rhomepm.com. Its motto—“Rediscovering Rentals”—emphasises communication, technology and transparency rhomepm.com. By teaming up with Sell2Rent, a sale‑leaseback platform, we deliver turn‑key investment properties complete with vetted tenants. Investors can buy properties below market price, receive prepaid rent and benefit from RHOME’s local expertise in maintaining and leasing homes.
For homeowners, selling to Sell2Rent means immediate access to cash while staying in the home they love. After closing, RHOME takes over property management, relieving sellers of property taxes, insurance and major repairs truehold.com. Our goal is to create stable, long‑term tenancies that benefit both parties.
What is a residential sale‑leaseback?
A residential sale‑leaseback is straightforward. A homeowner sells their property to an investor and then leases it back, remaining as a tenant. There are no age limits or strict credit requirements, unlike some loan products truehold.com. The seller receives cash at closing and agrees to pay market‑rate rent under a lease agreement. Ownership passes to the buyer, who gains immediate rental income. Because the tenant is the former owner, the property is often maintained well and there is minimal vacancy risk pippintitle.com.
How it works
- Property evaluation and listing – Homeowners apply through the Sell2Rent platform. Once the property meets our criteria, it is offered to qualified investors.
- Sale and lease signing – An investor purchases the property at a pre‑negotiated price and signs a lease with the seller. Lease terms, including rental rate and duration, follow local market rates and can include prepaid rent. RHOME then handles leasing, rent collection and maintenance.
- Transfer of ownership – The seller receives cash at closing, pays off any mortgages and transitions to being a tenant. The investor begins receiving rent immediately, with RHOME managing day‑to‑day operations.
Investors can browse current opportunities through the Sell2Rent marketplace and register here to be notified about new deals. To understand how the model works in detail, discover the Sell2Rent investment model.
Why it works for investors
- Immediate cash flow – Rent starts on day one; there is no period of vacancy because the former owner stays in the home pippintitle.com.
- Tenant stability – Sellers generally sign long leases and treat the property as their own. They often prepay rent, which reduces default risk.
- Predictable terms – Lease agreements specify rent and timelines. Knowing your cap rate (net operating income divided by the property’s market value investopedia.com helps compare investments.
- Below‑market pricing – Sale‑leasebacks frequently trade at a discount to full market value. Off‑market deals on Sell2Rent’s marketplace offer long‑term tenants and prepaid rent.
- Professional management – RHOME’s services include tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance and personalized advice to enhance value rhomepm.com. Investors gain a hands‑off asset with local oversight.
Quick example
Imagine a homeowner sells for $270 000 when the comparative market analysis shows a fair value of $315 000. The investor thus buys at a ~14 % discount. The seller signs a 24‑month lease and prepays one year of rent. After paying off the mortgage, the seller receives their equity and remains in the home. The investor gets immediate rent and a long‑term tenant.
Benefits for sellers
- Access cash without moving – Sale‑leasebacks allow homeowners to unlock equity and remain in their neighborhood realtor.com.
- Relief from taxes and maintenance – There are no more property tax or insurance payments; RHOME handles major repairs truehold.com.
- Flexibility – Funds can be used to pay off debt, invest or cover living expenses. Retirees, those facing unexpected bills or people starting new ventures find this model appealing realtor.com.
- Reduced stress – No packing or moving; daily routines stay intact and children can remain in the same schools. RHOME maintains the home, ensuring high standards.
Market insights: property taxes, fast‑growing cities and the 2025 housing outlook
Residential investing isn’t just about a single property – it requires understanding broader market trends. Here are a few insights that help investors decide when is the best time to buy a house and whether house prices are going down:
Property tax landscape
Despite frequent internet myths, there are no states without property tax landlordstudio.com. Property taxes fund schools, fire and police departments and other public services landlordstudio.com. However, some states have very low rates. According to Landlord Studio, Louisiana’s effective tax rate is about 0.18 %, equating to roughly $243 per year on the median home; Hawaii’s rate is 0.26 %; Alabama’s is 0.33 % landlordstudio.com. These states also have median household incomes ranging from about $51 000 to $82 000 landlordstudio.com. Investors who are evaluating states with no property tax or looking for the lowest property tax states should consider both the tax rate and local incomes.
City trends and population growth
The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 estimates show that Princeton, Texas, was the fastest‑growing city in the U.S., expanding by 30.6 % beckershospitalreview.com. Seven of the top 15 fastest‑growing cities were in Texas, while Florida and North Carolina also appeared on the list beckershospitalreview.com. The South led regional growth, with small towns under 50 000 residents averaging about 1.6 % population increases beckershospitalreview.com. Investors seeking fastest growing cities in US or fastest growing states should note this south‑ward trend.
Housing market trends and 2025 forecast
J.P. Morgan Research projects that U.S. home prices will climb roughly 3 % in 2025, even as mortgage rates stay near 6.7 % jpmorgan.com. Existing housing inventory has risen roughly 20 % over the past year but remains 20–30 % below long‑term averages jpmorgan.com. High rates deter many owners from selling (the “lock‑in effect”), which keeps supply tight jpmorgan.com. Analysts expect that the housing market will remain balanced—not clearly a buyer’s or seller’s market—but that demand will gradually recover as rates ease.
Investors watching for housing market trends, housing inventory and the real estate forecast for the next 5 years should keep these figures in mind. With a long‑term horizon and quality tenants, sale‑leasebacks can offer steady returns regardless of short‑term price cycles.
Do your due diligence
Buying a sale‑leaseback property still requires careful analysis. Use analytics tools to compare local rents and run comparative market analysis (CMA) for each property. CMA estimates a property’s value by comparing recently sold homes of similar size, condition and location rocketmortgage.com. Understand your cap rate (net operating income divided by market value investopedia.com and stress‑test numbers under different rent and expense scenarios. Always order inspections and title checks, and be aware of landlord–tenant laws in your market. If you’re unfamiliar with property management, RHOME’s team can handle the details.
Our forecast
Analysts expect sale‑leasebacks to gain traction as credit remains tight and homeowners seek liquidity. The Pippin Title article notes that high interest rates and limited housing supply contribute to the growth of sale‑leaseback investing pippintitle.com. About 85 % of landlords raised rents in 2024, and roughly 31 % of U.S. renters live in single‑family rentals pippintitle.com. These conditions create demand for stable, income‑producing assets. With RHOME managing the properties and Sell2Rent providing vetted opportunities, investors can build a portfolio that pays from day one.
Ready to explore?
If you’re an investor looking for housing market 2025 opportunities, sale‑leasebacks offer a way to achieve cash flow without the headaches of finding tenants. Register with Sell2Rent to access our live opportunities and learn more about our investment model. For property owners interested in selling and staying, visit RHOME’s property management page to see how we can help you unlock equity and keep your home.
Whether you’re focused on market insights, household income percentile, or simply seeking the best time to buy a house, the combined strengths of RHOME and Sell2Rent are here to guide you.
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