We don’t have a huge military presence in Columbus Ohio, so when a military officer walked into our Fishinger Rd office, I took notice. After 21 years as a licensed Realtor with REMAX Premier Choice and owner of a sell you house fast for cash company, EasySell Cash Homebuyers, I’ve seen a lot. Locally, I have become known for helping families facing tuff choices. This transaction taught me something important about when you need to sell a house and rent back. Sometimes a creative solutions work the best for the homeowners.
Derek a high ranking military officer and his wife Isabella had been living the Upper Arlington dream for almost 10 years. Both not originally from Columbus but loving the community. Isabella was teaching yoga, their daughter Sofia absolutely dominating her soccer team, and their son Diego convinced the Swim and Racket Club was his personal training facility.
Military life can be crazy and things can change overnight. Derek was facing a deployment. Orders that could come in two months, six months, or honestly nobody really knew but the military. And when they did come, Isabella would need to pack up the kids and move to San Antonio to be near her family during what could be a two year-long deployment.
When Real Life in Columbus, Ohio Doesn’t Follow Real Estate Timelines
They know a move was coming in their near future, they just didn’t know when. The Realtors they spoke with wanted concrete move dates. When do you want to list, when do you want to close, when are you moving out, they asked? “We literally don’t know any of those answers,” Isabella told me, looking completely stressed out.
According to the Columbus Board of Realtors, the average time to sell a house in Columbus, Ohio is 43 days. If they sold traditionally and Derek’s orders got delayed, they’d pay rent in San Antonio while Derek worked in Columbus. If they waited until he got his orders, they’d coordinate the sale while managing deployment chaos. Neither option was great.
Isabella was concerned about managing everything alone during the deployment. She needed her families support in San Antonio, but didn’t want to uproot Sofia and Diego from their Upper Arlington life until it was absolutely necessary.
Isabella started tearing up when I met her at the house. She was feeling guilty for considering moving the kids early. This wasn’t the first time I’ve had a homeowner cry about moving, it’s more common than you think. But, I also know there were a couple of options.
Why Selling and Renting Back Became a Good Alternative
I’ve been working with rent-back arrangements since getting licensed in 2004. It has actually become one of EasySell Cash Homebuyers most popular purchase options. It gives the homeowner flexibility which is often what they need most.
“So we could sell our house but keep living in it?” Derek asked. Being in the military he needed to understand the numbers, timelines and processes.
“Yep” I said. “Here’s what we can do.” We could close for cash in three weeks. No cleaning, no repairs, no staging required. Just a straightforward purchase. Then you sign a lease to stay as tenants at $2,550 per month, below market rate but fair given the lower sales price. Stay as long or as short as you want.
Selling the house and renting it back gave them the flexibility they were looking for. They decided on a six month lease, then they’d go month-to-month. One of the nice things about working with a local small company like mine is I can be as flexible as necessary. If Derek’s deployment orders came, next month or next year, they could just give me 30-day notice and move out.
How their Home Sale and Rent Back Option Actually Worked
We closed in early Spring. In my experience handling multiple sell and rent back situations, giving the homeowners flexibility really makes their life easier and less stressful.
Nothing changed with their lives in Upper Arlington. Sofia finished soccer season, Diego couldn’t wait for the pool at Swim and Racket to open. Isabella kept teaching her yoga classes. Their kids’ lives weren’t turned upside down overnight.
When the Orders Finally Came Through
Isabella called me late Fall. Derek’s deployment orders had come through that morning, and they needed to be in San Antonio by the end of the year.
“We’re actually ready,” she told me, amazement in her voice. “Six months ago, I was panicking about coordination, and now I know I’ll get through it.”
Why This Sell House and Rent Back Solution Helps Families
I’ve been in real estate long enough to know that many times families in Derek and Isabella’s situation make some version of a bad choice. Sell too early and waste money on temporary housing. Wait too long and miss the market or get stuck with a rushed sale.
That’s exactly why I offer the sell and rent back option at EasySell Cash Homebuyers. To create solutions for individuals or families whose situations don’t fit traditional retail sales. Our Better Business Bureau A+ rating and 5-star Google reviews reflect our commitment to solving homeowners problems, not just buying houses.
Our sell house and rent back approach gave them control over their timeline when everything else was uncertain.
Yes, they sold at a lower sales price compared to a perfectly timed traditional sale. But they gained something more valuable, peace of mind during one of the most stressful periods a family can face.
When Selling and Renting Back Makes Sense for Your Family
Research from the Military Family Life Project shows housing uncertainty is one of the top three stressors for military families facing deployment, often ranking above separation anxiety.
As a member of the Columbus Ohio Real Estate Entrepreneurs and licensed Ohio real estate agent I’ve learned the key is being honest with people and laying out all their options. Maximum sale price? Timeline flexibility? Stress reduction? Family stability? For Derek and Isabella, they were looking for a solution that worked around there uncertain.
If you’re facing timing uncertainty around major life changes? Military deployment, job relocation, family caregiving, downsizing or assisted living? A rent-back arrangement can bridge gaps traditional selling can’t address. Our company at 1650 Fishinger Rd. Columbus, Ohio 43221 has handled creative situations where families need another option that doesn’t exist in retail transactions.
If your looking for some guidance or another selling solution give us a call at 614-969-0624. We offer a no hassle, no obligation consultation.
