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StitcherWould you sell your house to rent? Today we’re diving into one of the most controversial money moves: buying vs. renting. And an even bigger twist: selling your home and going back to renting. Jill just made this huge decision herself, and in this episode, she and Jen unpack how it came to be and how it’s going.
Beyond just the numbers, consider the time, quality of life, and joy home brings before you make a choice.
Sponsors:
PITI. No not the pity your mother bestows on you when she thinks of your life choices, PITI: principle, interest, taxes, and insurance. It’s those 2nd and 3rd numbers that can have your mortgage going up and down every year. That’s why you need a budget that you look at at least once a year. We like to call it a spending plan. Head to frugalfriendspodcast.com/budget!
What started this journey?
When Jen asked Jill what sparked her shift from owning to renting, Jill shared the full backstory. Before buying a house, she and Eric lived in an RV, a lifestyle she enjoyed but knew wasn’t going to be in the long-term. So, buying a $225,000 house felt like the perfect next step, and for a while, it truly was. But five years later, back-to-back hurricanes forced them to evacuate twice in one week, exposing the harsh reality of living in a hurricane-prone area.
What once felt like stability soon became a drain with all the repairs they had to manage, and renting started to make more sense. When they did the numbers, factoring in capital gains tax, insurance, maintenance, and overall quality of life, they realized renting was the smarter financial choice.
Biggest Trade-Off of Renting
For Jill, the biggest financial trade-off of renting has actually been peace of mind. She no longer has to worry about storms damaging the house or sinking money and time into endless repairs. Renovations once consumed so much of her energy, but now that time can be spent on more meaningful things. Renting also means no yard to mow, less square footage to clean, and no big projects to fix, just decorate and enjoy.
On top of that, there are lifestyle perks, like having access to not one, but two pools. While there are moments of grief and pride tied to leaving homeownership behind, the freedom, time, and presence she’s gained have made the trade-offs more than worth it.
Might This Be For You Too?
Jill thinks numbers are important. You have to dig the numbers up and factor everything. If you already own a home, look closely at what it’s costing you and what it’s giving back. Beyond just the financials, consider the time, quality of life, and joy it brings. Then ask yourself: which values matter most, and could renting provide those same benefits or even more?
Would you ever own or rent again?
Right now, Jill is enjoying the renting lifestyle but there’s a possibility that they will own again in the future. For Jen, when she’s 60 and kids move out the house, she can see herself renting again.
Bill of The Week
Thanks Alyssa for sharing how you’re paying student loans off 7 years early!
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening. We love love love reading your kind reviews of our book Buy What You Love Without Going Broke and we especially loved this one from:
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I have read a lot of personal finance books and I mean A LOT, and I can honestly say that this one is different.
Most finance books are people talking at you and giving you the same advice over and over, but this one feels more like I'm eavesdropping on a friend's conversation. It is very relatable and friendly, for lack of a better word. This book makes me feel comfortable and like everything is going to be okay.
The tone that the writers are able to achieve is impressive, especially since this is their debut book. I feel like I'm gaining practical knowledge in a safe space. This is a book I will gift to friends and family. I 100% recommend reading it.
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