Selling a rental in Sacramento County: a guide for landlords

If you own a rental here and you're thinking about selling, you have more options than most owners realize. This page lays out the main paths, the questions worth asking, and where to read more. You don't have to sell to us, and for some landlords keeping the property is the right call.

Three ways to sell an occupied rental

Keep the tenant in place

Often the simplest route when the tenant pays on time and the house needs only light work. The lease generally continues after a sale and rent keeps coming in until closing. It tends to fit when the tenant is reliable, the rent is reasonable, and the house doesn't need work that requires it to be empty.

Pay the tenant to leave

A voluntary "cash for keys" buyout can be faster and cheaper than court, but it only works if the tenant agrees, and it should be documented in writing. It tends to fit when the tenant is willing to move, the house needs work or is worth more empty, and you'd rather skip a court case.

Evict

When a tenant has stopped paying or seriously violates the lease, eviction may be the only option. In California it means written notice and then a court process, and the timing is hard to predict. It tends to fit when there's a serious lease violation and you have the time and money to see it through.

For the full comparison, read selling a rental with tenants: keep them, pay them to leave, or evict.

Questions to ask before you decide

1. What does the property net you each month after repairs, vacancies, and your time? Compare that with what a sale would net.
2. Is the tenant paying, and would you be comfortable with the next owner keeping them?
3. Does the house need work that can't be done while someone lives in it?
4. How quickly do you need to close, and how much rent can you afford to lose while you wait?
5. What do you owe on it, and what would a sale mean for your taxes? A CPA can answer that before you sign anything.

Guides for landlords

If you decide to sell, here is how we work

• We buy as-is, with or without tenants. No repairs, showings, or cleanouts.
• We explain how we reach our number, so you can compare it with listing the house.
• A licensed local title company handles closing, on a date that works for you, and we cover the closing costs.

A cash sale usually brings less than a vacant, renovated house would on the open market. In exchange you get speed, simplicity, and no repair bills. If listing would serve you better, we'll say so.

Common questions

This page is general information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant law is detailed, varies by city, and changes, so talk to a California landlord-tenant attorney about your situation.