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BiggerPockets Real Estate · August 14, 2026 · 40m

How to Rent Out Your House (Step-by-Step Guide)

Dave

Dave provides a step-by-step guide for first-time landlords renting out a primary residence. He covers the rent-versus-sell decision, how to price rent accurately, whether to self-manage or hire a property manager, and how to switch to landlord insurance before move-in. The episode also walks through legal tenant screening and traps to avoid. The aim is to help new landlords generate income, build long-term equity, and gain real estate experience.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

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Decide Whether to Rent or Sell First
Dave says the first step is deciding whether renting out the house makes more sense than selling it.
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Estimate Rent Accurately
Dave explains how to estimate what to charge for rent using the most accurate method available.
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Self-Manage or Hire a Property Manager
Dave walks through the decision of whether to self-manage the rental or hire a property manager.
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Switch to Landlord Insurance Before Move-In
Dave says homeowners must switch to landlord insurance before a tenant moves in.
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Screen Tenants Legally and Fairly
Dave explains how to screen tenants in a legal and fair way to get the best applicants into the property.
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Avoid Costly First-Time Landlord Traps
Dave shares traps to avoid when renting out a home, including a $5,000 mistake from his own experience.
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Misc

✧Dave shares a personal $5,000 mistake as a trap to avoid when renting out a home.
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