Moving Abroad? Why Leasing Your West LA Home Might Be Smarter Than Selling

If you're a homeowner in Santa Monica, Westchester, or West LA preparing to relocate internationally, you may be wondering:
Should I sell my home, or lease it out while I’m gone?
For many of our clients, the best decision is holding onto the asset and turning it into a high-performing rental.

💡 Why Leasing Instead of Selling Makes Sense in 2025

• Strong Rental Demand in West LA
  Single-family homes in quiet, walkable neighborhoods remain in high demand, especially with families and professionals. Homes in Santa Monica, Mar Vista, Westchester, and Culver City lease quickly—often above list price if well-prepared.
  
• Market Appreciation Still Has Legs
  While the market isn’t as aggressive as it was during the pandemic boom, home values in West LA remain strong. Leasing allows you to ride out future gains without losing ownership.
  
• Tax Advantages
  You may qualify for certain tax benefits as a landlord, including depreciation, repairs, and management fees—something to discuss with your CPA before selling.
  

✈️ But What About Managing a Rental from Abroad?That’s where we come in.
At Keybox, we specialize in leasing and full-service management for single-family homes in West LA. Whether you’re headed to London, Tokyo, New York, Thailand, Portugal, or the Galapagos, we take care of everything locally:
✅ Marketing & showing your home
✅ Screening qualified tenants
✅ Drafting lease agreements & disclosures
✅ Rent collection & monthly owner payments
✅ Maintenance coordination & tenant communication
✅ Annual inspections & emergency response
We also offer owner-friendly reporting and digital access, so you can track everything from anywhere in the world.

🏡 Is Your Home a Good Candidate for Leasing?✔ Detached home in Santa Monica, Westchester, or nearby
✔ Clean, well-maintained, and ready for move-in
✔ Flexible on lease terms (12+ months preferred)
✔ You want passive income with long-term equity growth

👋 Let’s Talk Before You List ItMany of our clients first came to us planning to sell—but found that leasing was a smarter, safer, and more flexible option. Let us help you run the numbers, discuss timelines, and give you a realistic rental estimate.