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Owning a rental property in Lakewood was supposed to be the easy part of building wealth — collect the rent, enjoy the appreciation, and watch your equity grow. But somewhere along the way, things shifted. Maybe the late-night maintenance calls started piling up, the tenant stopped paying, or you looked at the calendar and realized you’ve been a landlord far longer than you ever planned. If you’re sitting at your kitchen table wondering whether it’s finally time to sell, you’re not alone — and you have more options than you might think.

Lakewood’s rental market has been a rollercoaster over the past few years. Properties in areas like Belmar, Green Mountain, and Applewood have seen strong appreciation, which is great news for your equity but can make the decision to sell feel more complicated. Capital gains, tenant rights, repair backlogs — there’s a lot to untangle. Let’s walk through it together.

Signs You’re a “Tired Landlord” Ready to Sell

Burnout doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s just a quiet feeling of dread every time your phone buzzes. Here are some of the signs we hear most often from Lakewood landlords who reach out:

• You’ve been covering repairs out of pocket more often than the rent covers them
• Your current tenant is behind, difficult to communicate with, or you’re considering eviction
• The property needs significant updates — roof, HVAC, plumbing — that you don’t want to fund
• You inherited the property and never really wanted to be a landlord in the first place
• You live out of state and managing from a distance has become exhausting
• You’re approaching retirement and want to simplify your finances

If two or three of those hit home, it might be time to seriously consider your exit strategy. The good news? You don’t have to wait for the lease to end, kick out your tenants, or sink another $20,000 into repairs to make a clean sale.

Selling With Tenants In Place — Yes, It’s Possible

One of the biggest myths we hear from Lakewood landlords is that they need to wait until the property is vacant before they can sell. That’s not true — at least not when you’re selling to a cash buyer or investor. In fact, an occupied rental in a desirable area like Belmar or near Green Mountain can be more attractive to an investor because it comes with built-in cash flow from day one.

Here’s something specific to Colorado you should know: under the Colorado Warranty of Habitability (C.R.S. § 38-12-503), landlords have ongoing obligations to maintain rental property in livable condition — and those responsibilities transfer with ownership. Selling to a cash buyer who understands Colorado landlord-tenant law means you don’t have to worry about leaving a problem behind. Existing leases stay in place, security deposits transfer, and your tenants keep their home.

If your property is vacant — or you’re between tenants in a neighborhood like Applewood where turnover happens fast — that works too. There’s no “wrong” condition to sell in.

Capital Gains and the 1031 Exchange Option

This is where a lot of Lakewood landlords get stuck. If you’ve owned your rental for years, the capital gains tax bill can feel scary enough to keep you holding a property you don’t want anymore. Here’s a quick overview of what to consider:

• Federal capital gains tax on long-term holdings (over a year) is typically 15–20%, depending on your income bracket
• Colorado state income tax currently treats capital gains as regular income at a flat 4.40% rate
• Depreciation recapture on rental property is taxed at up to 25% federally — this catches a lot of landlords off guard

The bright spot: a 1031 exchange allows you to defer all of that by rolling your sale proceeds into another investment property. You have 45 days to identify a replacement property and 180 days to close. Selling to a cash buyer can actually make a 1031 exchange easier because you control the closing timeline — no waiting on a financed buyer’s lender to cooperate with your tight deadlines. Always loop in a qualified intermediary and your CPA before listing, though.

What a Fast Cash Sale Actually Looks Like

When you sell your Lakewood rental to a cash buyer, the process is built around your timeline — not the market’s. No staging, no open houses, no showings that disrupt your tenants. Most of our sellers close in 7 to 21 days, take the property as-is, and walk away without spending a dime on repairs, commissions, or closing costs.

If you’re ready to talk through your situation — even if you’re just exploring — give us a call at (619) 480-0195. We’ll listen first, give you a straightforward cash offer based on your Lakewood property’s real numbers, and let you decide if it’s the right move. No pressure, no obligation, just answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell my Lakewood rental if my tenant has a long-term lease?

Yes, absolutely. The lease stays with the property when ownership transfers, so your tenant keeps their rights and their home. Cash buyers and investors regularly purchase occupied rentals because the income stream is already established. You’ll just need to provide the lease, payment history, and security deposit records at closing.

How is depreciation recapture calculated when I sell?

Depreciation recapture applies to the total depreciation you’ve claimed on your rental over the years and is taxed at up to 25% federally. For example, if you claimed $50,000 in depreciation over a decade, you could owe up to $12,500 in recapture tax even if your gain is modest. A 1031 exchange defers this along with capital gains, which is why so many Lakewood landlords explore it.

Will I get less money selling to a cash buyer than listing with an agent?

The offer is typically below retail market value, but the math often works out closer than people expect once you factor in agent commissions (5–6%), closing costs, holding costs, repairs, and months of uncertainty. For a tired landlord with a vacant or problem property, the speed and certainty of cash can outweigh the gap. We’re happy to break down the numbers side-by-side for your specific property.

What if my Lakewood property needs major repairs or has code violations?

That’s actually one of the most common situations we handle. Cash buyers purchase properties as-is, including ones with deferred maintenance, foundation issues, fire damage, or open code violations from the city. You won’t need to fix anything, clean anything out, or even haul away unwanted items left behind by previous tenants. We handle all of it after closing.