Why Selling the House and Renting Might Be the Smarter Move

Tom Locke - Insolvency Trustee in London, Ontario
April 28, 2025

Why Selling the House and Renting Might Be the Smarter Move

When people are stuck in the cycle of consolidating debt into their mortgage, it’s often because the house feels like the only solid financial anchor in their life. But for many Canadians, clinging to homeownership under constant financial pressure is more of a burden than a benefit.

At some point, it’s worth asking:
Is owning a home still serving you, or are you serving it?

Here’s why selling the home and renting might be the wisest financial and emotional decision you could make:


1. You’re Not Building Equity—You’re Just Recycling Debt

If you’ve been repeatedly consolidating consumer debt into your mortgage, the equity you think you have in your home is likely far less than it could be—or should be. Every time you roll unsecured debt into your home loan, you’re:

  • Extending your repayment period
  • Reducing long-term equity growth
  • Increasing your exposure to rising interest rates

Over years, this cycle may mean you never truly own your home—you just rent it from the bank.

Selling while you still have equity allows you to:

  • Pay off your debts cleanly
  • Avoid more refinancing traps
  • Cash out before you hit a financial wall

2. Renting Can Restore Financial Flexibility

Many people see renting as “throwing money away,” but that’s an outdated mindset—especially if you’re currently:

  • Drowning in mortgage payments
  • Taking on new credit to survive
  • Living in constant anxiety about renewal rates and rising costs

Renting can:

  • Lower your monthly expenses
  • Free up cash to rebuild savings
  • Eliminate property taxes, maintenance costs, and insurance premiums
  • Give you room to breathe and refocus on your long-term financial health

Renting isn’t a failure—it’s a strategy for reclaiming control.


3. Emotional Freedom > Financial Illusion

Many homeowners in debt cling to their house out of fearpride, or social pressure—not logic. The house becomes a symbol of stability, even as it quietly fuels instability.

By selling and renting, you:

  • Escape the mental weight of crushing debt
  • Rebuild confidence and peace of mind
  • Gain time and space to create a healthier financial future

You’re not giving up—you’re letting go of what no longer serves you.


4. You Can Always Re-Enter the Market—Debt-Free

The Canadian housing market is cyclical. Selling now doesn’t mean you can never own again. In fact, becoming debt-free through selling could make you a stronger buyer in the future, with:

  • A clean credit record
  • A stable financial foundation
  • A real down payment saved through renting and budgeting

Don’t think of it as an exit—think of it as a reset.


The Bottom Line: Know When to Cut Loose

If your house has become a financial trap rather than a foundation for stability, it’s okay to ask a radical question:
What if I sold the house and freed myself from this cycle entirely?

It’s not an easy decision. It may go against what you’ve been taught or what society celebrates. But if holding onto a house means living in endless stress, sacrificing your future, or drowning in interest payments, then renting might not be a step down—it might be a leap forward.


🔄 From Owning to Living

Freedom isn’t always found in ownership. Sometimes it’s found in mobility, clarity, and a clean slate. Selling your home, paying off your debts, and renting for a time might be the most powerful financial move you ever make.