Hey there,
Robbie Tickel here—your neighbor and friendly real estate guide who’s often pushing a stroller through The Palisades with two Aussiedoodles in tow. I’ve been having a lot of conversations lately with people—clients, neighbors, even folks at the golf club—about the same thing:
“We’ve got this low-interest-rate mortgage. What do we do now that rates are way higher?”
The answer a lot of people are landing on?
Keep the house. Rent it out. And maybe rent something yourself.
Welcome to 2025—the year of the rental rethink.
Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way... mortgage rates are hovering around 7%+ nationally.
Compare that to the 2–3% mortgages many people locked in during the pandemic years, and you can see why no one’s eager to sell.
So instead of listing, people are becoming what the industry calls “accidental landlords.” But around here? I’d say they’re intentional strategists.
According to Redfin, 36% of homeowners who bought before 2022 now have mortgage rates below 4%.
Many are choosing to convert their primary home into a rental, especially in high-demand areas like Charlotte, Fort Mill, Indian Land, and Lake Wylie.
In Mecklenburg County, duplex sales are up 15% year-over-year, and zoning changes are making it easier to build or convert.
Fort Mill zoning continues to favor single-family, but demand for multi-family is growing—especially near schools and new developments.
Charlotte's median rent is now $1,923/month (up 3.78% from last year).
Fort Mill’s median rent is $1,756/month, with townhomes seeing the biggest gains.
Short-term rentals (Airbnbs, Furnished Finders, etc.) are particularly strong near Lake Wylie, Uptown, and Ballantyne.
Here’s what I’m seeing:
Keep the 2.8% mortgage on your current home. Rent it out.
Then rent a smaller place yourself or move closer to work, family, or school.
Buy a duplex. Live in one side. Rent the other.
This is working especially well for multi-gen families or first-time buyers trying to build equity fast.
House hack your existing home.
Add a separate entrance and kitchenette in the basement? You’ve got an instant long-term tenant or short-term rental potential.
Let’s break this down:
If your current mortgage is $2,200/month at 3%…
And you can rent your home for $2,900/month…
That’s $700/month in passive income (after expenses).
Meanwhile, you could rent a place for yourself for less, downsize, or relocate without letting go of your golden-rate mortgage.
And if you're buying an investment property with a higher rate? The rental income can offset the interest—and over time, rents tend to go up while your mortgage stays flat.
I’m working with a lot of folks right now who are:
Renting out their current home and buying something new
Looking for duplexes or investment properties (I know where the good ones are)
Unsure what their home could actually rent for (I can tell you)
Trying to figure out what upgrades matter for renters (and what don’t)
If you’re considering doing anything like this—or even just curious about it—let’s grab a coffee and talk. I’ll bring the numbers, you bring the questions.
I’ll catch you on the trail (dogs included).