We Rented Out Our House And Sold All Our Stuff

In partnership with

Yes, you read that headline correctly. My wife Mel and I really did this, just at the end 2024.

Historically, homeownership has been the gold standard of the American Dream.

Good job, 2.5 kids, white picket fence—boom, success.

Owning a home has symbolized financial stability, physical security, and a one-way ticket to passive-aggressive fights with your HOA.

But let’s be real: buying a home isn’t as simple—or as affordable—as it used to be.

Home prices have outpaced both inflation and median household income, making it an increasingly elusive goal, especially for younger generations already drowning in student debt.

And yet, despite the cost, many still chase homeownership without really crunching the numbers.

Back in 2014, I bought my first home—a charming foreclosure that I spent three years gutting and renovating.

By 2017, my wife, Mel, and I leveled up, buying a brand-new house on six acres of peaceful, nature-filled solitude.

It was everything we thought we wanted… until we realized maybe it wasn’t.

So, we did something unconventional: we rented out our home and sold almost everything we owned.

You’re probably asking yourself, “Why on Earth would you do something like that??” 

Great question!

Even as a minimalist and with Mel’s super-intentional spending, we’d accumulated plenty of things that added real value to our lives—studio gear, workout equipment, and, of course, our bed (minds out of the gutter, please).

But when we stepped back and evaluated the numbers, homeownership wasn’t the clear win we once thought it was.

Personal finance expert Ramit Sethi helped me see things differently.

He’s lived in high-cost-of-living cities like San Francisco and New York, places where buying a home often makes zero financial sense.

Take Manhattan—where he rented, the identical unit next door would have cost twice as much to buy once you factor in taxes, maintenance, and all the sneaky hidden costs of homeownership.

The truth is, it’s not as simple as “buying is always better” or “renting is throwing money away.” It depends on personal circumstances.

For example, if your mortgage is twice what you’d pay in rent, that extra cash could instead be invested in the stock market, which historically offers better returns.

But there’s emotion tied to homeownership—security, stability, control—that renting doesn’t always provide.

And, of course, there’s the big selling point: equity.

Equity is the idea that, instead of paying rent to a landlord, you’re investing in an asset that (hopefully) appreciates over time.

The problem is that if you overextend yourself, buy at the wrong time, or get hit with surprise costs, that equation falls apart fast.

So, how do you make the best decision? You run the numbers.

I used a buy vs. rent calculator and plugged in the median U.S. home price: $420,400.

If that number made you choke, you’re not alone—that’s why homeownership is out of reach for many, especially in big cities.

After accounting for mortgage rates, down payments, taxes, maintenance, inflation, and opportunity costs, the calculator told me renting would save us $90,000 over 10 years.

Numbers don’t lie—buying a home is way more complicated (and expensive) than most people realize.

And even if you try to predict every potential cost, things can go sideways fast.

Luckily, we bought our home in 2017, back when housing prices and interest rates were significantly lower.

Even my first home—an old three-bedroom with horsehair plaster walls—ended up being a great investment, netting me nearly $200,000 when I sold.

But here’s my one regret about that first home: selling it at all.

If I’d held onto it, I could have let it appreciate further and built a stronger rental portfolio.

That lesson stuck with me, so when the opportunity came up to do things differently, Mel and I made a new plan.

We rented out our current home, went back to renting ourselves, and started investing in additional rental properties.

Now, our home earns us a 40% margin and brings in five figures of extra income each year. Instead of working for our home, our home is working for us.

Does this mean you should “never” buy? Of course not.

But if you’re about to make the biggest purchase of your life, do your homework first.

Run the numbers, determine whether buying makes financial sense for you, and ensure your housing costs stay under 28% of your gross income.

And most importantly, don’t let emotions override the financial reality—touring homes and scrolling Zillow can make it tempting to stretch beyond your means.

For us, renting and investing was the right move.

And while it’s bittersweet to rent out the home where we raised our daughter, Ainsley, we’ve come to realize something important: a home isn’t defined by its walls but by the people inside it.

By making this choice, we’re building a legacy—one we can eventually pass down to Ainsley.

And to us, that’s something worth investing in.

Have a wonderful week, all.
Keep pushing forward - Scott (@motivatedscott).

Kickstart your morning routine

Upgrade your day with award-winning DIRTEA Coffee Super Blend. For people seeking sharper focus, a calm mind, and lasting energy:

• Over 1,000mg of Lion's Mane per Cup

• 80% less caffeine than regular coffee

• Made with the highest quality Organic Certified ingredients.

Shop now & save 30%.

Love content like this? Then you’ll love my podcast…

Listen to my top 100 health podcast with over 6 million downloads on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Up next on the podcast:

• I Almost Quit