Question

Should I convert my primary residence to a short-term rental before selling?

Answer

It may make sense to do so if you’re near retirement, plan to relocate, own a highly appreciated property, have enough taxable income to use the deductions, and are comfortable running a rental for a limited period. It also depends on rules that are easy to overlook: the cap on your depreciable basis, the bonus depreciation acquisition date, material participation, local short-term rental ordinances, and depreciation recapture at sale. A wealth advisor and a tax professional can help you model whether the numbers work.

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

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