If you’re a homeowner in Columbus trying to sell right now, you’re not alone in feeling frustrated. The early months of 2025 have brought a noticeable shift in the real estate market: interest rates are high, buyers are hesitant, and listings are starting to sit longer. Maybe your home has been on the market for weeks without serious offers. Or maybe you’re debating whether it’s even worth listing in this climate.
Here’s the truth: 2025 might not be the best time to sell. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
In fact, this moment might be one of the best times to rent your property instead. With buyer demand cooling and rental demand holding strong, renting out your home could deliver better returns, less stress, and more long-term value than selling in a soft market.
In this article, we’ll explore why homes are harder to sell in Columbus right now, what makes the current rental market a bright spot, and how you can use tools like our Rent vs. Sell Calculator to make a confident, data-driven decision about your next move.
Let’s break it down.
Why It’s Hard to Sell in Columbus Right Now
The Columbus real estate market has changed. Fast.
If you listed your property in 2021 or 2022, you might have seen multiple offers within days—even bidding wars. But in 2025, sellers are facing a very different landscape. Here’s what’s going on:
- Mortgage rates are keeping buyers on the sidelines.
The average 30-year mortgage rate in early 2025 is hovering around 7%, according to Freddie Mac. That’s significantly higher than the 3-4% rates many buyers were locked into just a few years ago. Higher rates mean higher monthly payments, which limits affordability and shrinks the buyer pool. Many would-be buyers are simply waiting for rates to come down. - Inventory is up, and competition is tougher.
After years of tight supply, the number of homes for sale in Central Ohio is rising. In fact, March 2025 saw the highest number of new listings for that month since 2017, according to Columbus REALTORS®. With more options available, buyers are taking their time, being pickier, and negotiating harder. Homes that might have flown off the market in 48 hours now sit for weeks. - Homes are sitting longer and selling for less.
The average days on market in January was 43 days—up from 35 days a year ago. At the same time, the median sale price growth has slowed to around 3% year-over-year, down from the 6-10% gains we saw during the pandemic boom. And nearly one in four sellers nationwide have had to cut their list price in early 2025, per Zillow. - Buyers are nervous—and it shows.
Uncertainty around inflation, interest rates, and the broader economy is making buyers cautious. Many are choosing to rent a little longer or delay big financial decisions until things feel more stable. This caution leads to slower sales and more sellers wondering if now is the right time to make a move.
The bottom line? The same home that would have sold easily two years ago might now struggle to attract offers—at least not at the price you hoped for.
But here’s the good news: this shift doesn’t have to be a setback. In fact, it could be an opportunity.
Why Renting Works Better Right Now
The same conditions that make it harder to sell a home are creating the perfect storm for landlords.
Let’s start with the basics: people still need a place to live. And when they can’t (or don’t want to) buy, they rent. That’s exactly what we’re seeing in Columbus right now.
- High mortgage rates = more renters.
With monthly payments up significantly, many would-be buyers are putting homeownership on hold. That keeps more people in the rental pool longer, increasing demand across the board. Even renters who were once pre-approved to buy are waiting it out. - Rental demand in Columbus remains strong.
Vacancy rates in the city remain low, hovering around 5% or less in many neighborhoods. Average rents are up slightly year-over-year, and demand is especially high for well-maintained single-family homes. If your property is in good shape, chances are you’ll have multiple interested tenants. - Renting gives you income while you wait.
Instead of cutting your asking price or accepting an offer you’re not happy with, you can hold the asset and let it pay for itself. Renting covers the mortgage, preserves your equity, and gives you time to reassess the market down the road. If and when the market rebounds, you’ll still own the home—and it may be worth more than it is today.
In short: today’s real estate market favors renters. And if you’re willing to be a landlord (or work with a property manager), you can turn your unsold home into a steady income stream instead of a stalled sale.
If You Have a Low-Rate Mortgage, You’re Sitting on a Goldmine
Here’s something many homeowners overlook: if you locked in a mortgage rate between 2% and 4% during the last few years, you’re sitting on a huge advantage.
Selling now would mean giving that up—and potentially taking on a much higher rate for your next purchase. Renting, on the other hand, lets you keep that ultra-low rate and turn it into a long-term financial asset.
Here’s why it matters:
- Your mortgage payment is likely much lower than current rent prices for similar homes.
- That difference means positive cash flow, even before accounting for appreciation and tax benefits.
- With Columbus rents continuing to rise modestly, your spread may improve over time.
As Investopedia recently pointed out, a growing number of homeowners are choosing to rent out their homes instead of selling because the math just makes more sense. In many cases, the monthly rental income far exceeds the mortgage payment—especially for those with rates locked in below 4%.
Think of it this way: you already own a well-located asset with favorable financing. Instead of trading it away, why not let it work for you?
The Real Math: Wealth Builds in the Background
A lot of homeowners make decisions based solely on monthly cash flow. But when it comes to rental property, the real financial payoff often happens quietly behind the scenes.
Here’s what we mean:
- Equity paydown.
Every month your tenant pays rent, a portion of that goes toward your mortgage principal. That means someone else is steadily increasing your ownership stake in the property—without you lifting a finger. - Appreciation.
Even with recent market softening, home values in Columbus have grown consistently over the past decade. Holding your property allows you to ride that wave and capture future gains as the market stabilizes and grows. - Tax benefits.
Rental owners enjoy deductions for mortgage interest, property taxes, repairs, depreciation, and more. These tax advantages can significantly reduce your taxable income and boost your net return.
When you combine all three—equity, appreciation, and tax savings—you get what we call wealth layering. It’s not flashy, but it’s powerful. Over time, this layering effect builds real financial value that selling simply can’t match.
Even if your rental breaks even (or is slightly negative) on monthly cash flow, these behind-the-scenes benefits often make it a stronger investment long term. That’s why smart investors look beyond just the rent minus expenses—they understand the full picture.
Avoid the Costs of Selling at the Wrong Time
Another reason renting may be the better move right now? Selling can be expensive—especially in a slow market.
Even in the best-case scenario, selling a home typically comes with:
- 5% to 6% in realtor commissions
- Closing costs and transaction fees
- Potential repairs, staging, or buyer concessions
In today’s market, where buyers are being cautious and inventory is growing, sellers are more likely to offer discounts or incentives to get deals done. That can cut deeply into your net proceeds.
By renting your property instead, you avoid all of those upfront selling costs. You also retain the flexibility to sell later, when conditions improve—perhaps at a higher price with less hassle.
Holding onto the home now can preserve your options and protect your equity. And if you’re generating income in the meantime? That’s a win-win.
What If You Don’t Want to Be a Landlord?
Totally fair question. Not everyone wants to handle late-night maintenance calls, tenant screenings, or rent collection. And the good news is: you don’t have to.
Professional property management makes it possible to own rental property without doing the work yourself. At RL Property Management, we help homeowners across Columbus turn their homes into truly passive investments.
Here’s how we help:
- We advertise your property and find qualified tenants
- We handle lease agreements, deposits, and renewals
- We respond to maintenance requests 24/7
- We collect rent and provide detailed financial reporting
- We ensure your property stays compliant with local laws
Whether you live down the street or across the country, our team gives you peace of mind that your property—and your tenants—are being taken care of.
So if the only thing stopping you from renting out your home is the idea of managing it yourself, let’s talk. We’ll take care of the hard stuff so you can focus on the returns.
Run the Numbers Before You Decide
Every property, mortgage, and situation is different. That’s why we built the Rent vs. Sell Calculator—a free, interactive tool that gives you a side-by-side comparison of both options based on your real numbers.
With just a few inputs, you’ll get personalized projections for:
- Monthly cash flow and long-term ROI
- Equity growth and mortgage paydown
- Estimated home appreciation
- Tax impact and deductions
- What happens if you reinvest sale proceeds
It takes just a few minutes, and you can test different scenarios. Whether you’re trying to decide what to do with your current home or inherited property, this tool can help you make a more informed decision—not just a gut decision.
You might be surprised how often the numbers favor renting.
Still Thinking of Selling?
Selling isn’t always a bad choice—but in today’s Columbus market, it may not be the best one. Between high rates, increased competition, and slower buyer demand, many homeowners are finding that renting out their property creates more value and more flexibility.
By holding the home, you keep your low-rate mortgage, tap into growing rental demand, and give yourself time to benefit from appreciation and equity paydown. It’s not just about surviving a slower market—it’s about using it to your advantage.
Want help figuring out what makes the most sense for you? Try our Rent vs. Sell Calculator, or schedule a call with our team to talk through your options. We’re here to help you make the smartest move possible—even if that move is no move at all.