Is rental property a good long term investment?
Ava Robinson
Published Apr 04, 2026
There are two reasons why an investor would consider owning rental property: cash flow and equity growth. Some investors look at rental properties solely as long term holdings in their portfolio. Under this scenario, the monthly cash flow may not be as great, but this isn’t nearly as important to them.
Rental properties generate recurring income meaning you won’t have to put out too much effort to maintain it. It can be an excellent way to ensure financial security before you retire, or just have extra money in the bank. This is especially true if you plan to buy an apartment building as a rental investment.
When does it make sense to sell your rental property?
Rental properties can be a lucrative investment, providing a steady stream of income from rent payments and price appreciation — that is, if everything goes according to plan. But for most owners, there eventually comes a time when it no longer makes financial or personal sense to hold onto a property.
Is it good idea to sell investment property in sellers market?
Should I sell my investment property in a sellers market? Yes, you should sell an investment property in a sellers market if the profit you earn will outweigh the future property value growth and the passive rental income you’ll miss out on by selling.
What makes a rental property a good investment?
Brian Davis, a real estate investor and co-founder at SparkRental.com, says good rental properties have positive cash flow after all of the bills are paid. Cash flow is the amount of money that is left over after all of your expenses are covered.
Do you have to pay capital gains when selling a rental property?
Real estate investors who aren’t aiming to cash out can put off paying capital gains taxes thanks to Section 1031 of the tax code. A Section 1031 exchange lets you sell your rental property, purchase a “ like-kind ” property and defer paying taxes at the time the exchange is made.