Sell Rental Property Fast in Marathon, Florida

Get A Free Cash Offer — No Repairs, No Fees

Close in as little as 7 days. Any condition. Any situation.

— or fill out the form below —

Get My Cash Offer →

🔒 100% confidential. We never share your info.

Being a landlord in the Florida Keys sounds like a dream until it isn’t. Maybe you’ve spent another weekend fielding repair calls from a tenant in Sombrero Beach, or you’re staring at a stack of property tax bills, insurance renewals, and a roof that’s overdue for replacement. Throw in hurricane season, rising flood insurance premiums, and tenants who treat your investment like a vacation rental, and it’s no wonder so many Marathon landlords are quietly wondering: is it time to just sell?

If that question has been rattling around in your head, you’re not alone. Plenty of rental property owners across Marathon are reaching the same conclusion, and the good news is you have more options than you might think — even if your property has tenants, deferred maintenance, or a complicated tax picture.

Why So Many Marathon Landlords Are Ready to Cash Out

Marathon is a unique rental market. Properties in areas like Key Colony Beach, Sombrero Beach, and Coco Plum Beach can generate strong income, but they also come with unique headaches that mainland landlords never have to think about. The Keys have their own pace, their own weather risks, and their own regulatory layers.

Some of the most common reasons we hear from tired landlords in Marathon include:

• Skyrocketing insurance costs — windstorm and flood premiums in Monroe County have climbed dramatically
• Hurricane damage or deferred repairs from past storms that never got fully addressed
• Problem tenants who stopped paying or treat the property poorly
• Vacation rental restrictions that limit short-term rental flexibility
• Distance management if you live out of state and can’t keep up
• Aging properties that need new roofs, seawalls, or impact windows

If even two of those hit close to home, selling fast for cash may make more financial sense than holding on for another season.

The Florida Tax Picture: Capital Gains and 1031 Exchanges

Here’s some good news right out of the gate: Florida has no state income tax, which means you won’t owe state-level capital gains tax when you sell your rental. You’ll still owe federal capital gains tax, though, and depreciation recapture can take a real bite if you’ve owned the property for years.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Long-term federal capital gains rates typically run 15–20% depending on your income bracket
• Depreciation recapture is taxed at up to 25%
• If your rental was once your primary residence, you may qualify for the Section 121 exclusion on part of the gain

If you want to defer those taxes entirely, a 1031 exchange lets you roll the proceeds into another investment property. The catch: you have just 45 days to identify a replacement property and 180 days to close. That tight timeline is actually one of the reasons selling to a cash buyer can work in your favor — a guaranteed, fast closing gives you predictable timing to line up your next deal. Always talk to a qualified intermediary and your CPA before pulling the trigger.

Selling With Tenants in Place — Or Without

One of the biggest worries we hear from Marathon landlords is: “Do I have to evict my tenants before I sell?” The answer is no. You have a few clean options:

• Sell with tenants in place — a cash buyer can take over the lease, which is ideal if you have reliable renters paying market rate
• Wait for the lease to expire and sell vacant, often the simplest path if the end date is close
• Cash-for-keys — offer tenants a small relocation payment in exchange for moving out early

Under Florida law, tenant leases generally transfer with the property, so the new owner inherits the existing rental agreement. That’s something to discuss openly with any buyer so everyone’s on the same page before closing.

Why a Cash Sale Often Wins for Tired Landlords

Listing a rental on the open market in Marathon can mean months of showings, inspections that flag every salt-air-corroded fixture, and buyers who get spooked by insurance quotes. A cash sale skips all of that. No repairs, no commissions, no staging, no waiting on financing — just a straightforward closing on your timeline, whether your property sits near Coco Plum Beach or tucked into a quieter pocket of Marathon.

If you’re ready to talk through your numbers, your tenant situation, or just want a no-pressure cash offer to compare against your other options, give us a call at (619) 480-0195. We’ll walk you through what your Marathon rental could sell for as-is, how fast we can close, and what makes sense for your specific tax picture — no obligation, no hard sell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell my Marathon rental property if I still have tenants in it?

Yes, absolutely. In Florida, existing leases transfer with the property, so a cash buyer can purchase the home and step into the role of landlord. This often works well when tenants are paying on time and you’d rather not deal with vacancy or turnover. We handle the lease transition paperwork as part of closing.

How fast can a cash sale actually close in Marathon?

Most cash sales in the Florida Keys close in 7 to 21 days, depending on title work and any tenant coordination. Because there’s no lender involved, you skip the appraisal, financing contingencies, and most of the typical delays. If you need extra time to coordinate a 1031 exchange or tenant move-out, we can flex the closing date to fit your timeline.

Will I owe taxes if I sell my rental property in Florida?

Florida doesn’t charge state income tax, so there’s no state-level capital gains hit. However, you’ll still owe federal capital gains tax and potentially depreciation recapture on any deductions you’ve taken over the years. A 1031 exchange can defer those taxes if you reinvest into another qualifying property, but you should always confirm the specifics with your CPA.

What if my property has hurricane damage or needs major repairs?

That’s actually one of the most common situations we handle in Marathon. We buy properties completely as-is, including homes with roof damage, water intrusion, outdated electrical, or unpermitted work. You won’t need to lift a finger on repairs or clean-out — we factor everything into the cash offer upfront so there are no surprises at closing.