Expert Advice on Selling vs. Renting Your Home Amidst COVID-19

Windermere Property Manager, Dawn Clay, has over a decade of combined experience in real estate and property management. Today she shares her expert advice for homeowners who may be deciding between selling their home or renting it out during the current COVID-19 climate.



Given the uncertain time for our economy, is it better to rent out a home in Kitsap County right now, or to put it on the market?



While the real estate market has seen various COVID-19 effects across the country, it has fared well locally. As Windermere Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, notes in his recent report, our current market is still strong and favors the seller. Homes for sale and homes for rent are both in demand throughout Kitsap County. I think, if priced accordingly, homes in either avenue will be sold or rented quickly. I have not seen the rental market slow down due to COVID-19. As a matter of fact, right now we have little inventory in comparison to the number of families looking for a rental to call home.



Even within our local, resilient seller’s market, are there any factors that discourage selling a home right now?



There is a large amount of new construction in some areas of the county, so sellers are competing with new, turn-key homes where a buyer has little or no work to do after the purchase.



What should homeowners consider when debating between renting and selling their home?



A good question to ask is: are they willing to continue to invest in their home, and perform the necessary maintenance to preserve its value? A homeowner can also consider a comparison calculator to help determine what makes the most sense financially.



In regards to rental properties in Kitsap County, what factors make a home rent quickly?



I find that 3- and 4-bedroom homes, priced correctly, are the fastest to rent. Having more than one bathroom in a home is ideal. Homes with garages and/or carports are also in demand and rent quickly.



Have you found any common concerns amongst those considering renting out their homes?



Homeowners often worry that tenants will not care for the home in the way the owner does, or that tenants will damage the home. One of the benefits of using a property management company is the care we put into background checks. We look for the best tenants so that both homeowners and renters have the best possible outcome.



Whether selling or renting a home in Kitsap County, how can Windermere help a homeowner vs. taking on the task themselves?



For selling a home, Windermere Real Estate has licensed, knowledgeable agents throughout the county who are experts in the market. They can utilize their network of top notch vendors to help prepare and market your home effectively. They will also price it strategically and guide you throughout the process.

Similarly, when renting out a home, Windermere Property Management / West Sound offers industry professionals to help prepare and market the home, as well as manage tenant communications and maintenance to provide a hassle-free experience.

How has COVID-19 affected the way properties are shown to renters and buyers in Kitsap County? 



Windermere professionals are taking precautions to keep properties and viewers as safe as possible. We are wearing masks, we schedule appointments, and we limit showings to allow no more than 3 people in the home at one time.