What Happens If We Have Short-Term Rentals Booked and Want to Sell?

A seller’s guide to navigating summer bookings, buyer expectations, and your options in shore markets.

For many shore homeowners, short-term rentals are more than just income — they’re part of the rhythm of owning a property near the beach. The summer calendar fills up, checks come in, guests cycle through, and everything runs on a predictable seasonal pattern. So when the time comes to sell, the thought of doing so with booked rentals on the schedule can feel overwhelming. Sellers often assume it’s impossible, or that they’ll have to cancel their income, disrupt long-standing guests, or wait until the off-season just to list.

Here’s the truth most people don’t realize:
You have far more options than you think.
And in many cases, those rentals can actually strengthen your sale rather than complicate it.

In shore towns like Ocean City, Margate, Ventnor, Longport, Brigantine, Sea Isle City, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, North Wildwood, and Cape May City, this is a situation I see constantly. It’s not an obstacle — it’s simply a scenario that needs a specialist who understands how to handle the timing, the agreements, the income flow, and the expectations of both buyers and renters. Done correctly, the process is far more flexible and far less stressful than most homeowners expect.

Let’s walk through how this works in the real world, what your options are, and how I help sellers move forward without losing income, disrupting their guests, or putting their plans on hold.

Why Selling With Rentals on the Books Feels Stressful — and Why It Doesn’t Have to Be

When a seller comes to me with existing summer rentals, their first worry is usually the same:
“What happens to the bookings?”

That question opens up a long list of fears:

• “Do I have to cancel everything?”

• “Do I owe refunds?”

• “Will buyers even want my home if it’s already booked?”

• “Can I still access my property?”

• “Will this delay my sale?”

Those concerns make complete sense — because for most sellers, it’s uncharted territory. But in shore markets, this situation is incredibly common. And once we break down the options, homeowners almost always realize the process is far more flexible than they imagined.

Short-term rentals don’t limit your ability to sell.
They simply shape the strategy.
And there are multiple strategies — not just one.

Understanding Buyer Behavior With Inherited Rentals

One of the biggest misconceptions sellers have is assuming every buyer will be turned off by existing rentals. That’s not true at all. In fact, the appeal varies, and understanding that nuance is the key to building the right strategy.

Here’s the reality, based on what I see every day:

Some buyers love inherited rentals.
Some buyers are indifferent but open to it.
And some buyers prefer the home without obligations.

The important thing is that the presence of rentals doesn’t eliminate the buyer pool — it simply redirects it.

For many buyers, especially investors or second-home purchasers, existing rentals are an asset, not a burden. Being able to step into guaranteed income is a major advantage — and in many cases, it’s one of the strongest selling points of a shore property. Those buyers enjoy inheriting the schedule because:

• It offsets ownership costs immediately

• It eliminates the need to advertise or market the home

• It gives them income before they even step foot in the property

• It validates the home’s rental performance

• It keeps their long-term return predictable

For these buyers, an active rental calendar is not merely acceptable — it’s attractive.

But for other buyers — especially those looking for a pure second home or primary residence — flexibility is more important. They may want clean occupancy at closing, the ability to use the home immediately, or the option to open and close the property without obligations.

Both buyer types exist.
The key is knowing how to position the home and which buyers to engage strategically.

Option One: Transfer the Rentals Directly to the Buyer (Often the Simplest Path)

One of the most common and cleanest strategies is to transfer all scheduled rentals to the buyer at closing. This is particularly effective when the buyer is an investor or someone who wants the income.

Here’s how it works in real conversations:

• The buyer steps into the role of host or landlord.

• The income for each upcoming rental is prorated at closing.

• The guests keep their reservations uninterrupted.

• You receive the income you’ve already earned.

• The buyer receives the income for any stays that occur after they take ownership.

This creates a seamless experience for everyone involved — you, the buyer, and the guests.

For buyers who want the rental income, this is often a win-win situation because they immediately acquire:

• a proven rental schedule,

• cash flow from day one,

• and a property with validated demand.

In competitive shore markets, this can actually make your property more appealing than homes without any bookings at all.

Option Two: Cancel or Relocate Rentals When Needed (With Professional Guidance)

Not every buyer wants to inherit the schedule, and not every seller wants to transfer it. And that’s where problem-solving comes in — which is an area where my team and I excel.

Depending on the structure of your bookings and the nature of your agreements, you may have options such as:

• relocating the guests to other available rentals,

• providing alternative accommodations (which we can help coordinate),

• canceling bookings when permitted under your agreement terms,

• refunding deposits if appropriate,

• shifting reservations into neighboring weeks,

• or renegotiating stays with flexible renters.

Many sellers are surprised to learn that relocating renters is often easier than they expect — especially in towns where short-term rental supply is dynamic. I’ve helped multiple sellers secure new rentals for their upcoming guests so that buyers could have clean occupancy, and it created a smooth experience for everyone.

The important thing here is that these decisions are not reactive — they’re strategic.
The options depend on your agreements, the buyer’s goals, and the most advantageous path for your sale.

This is also where I’ll add a reminder — gently and clearly:

Every agreement is different, and although I can guide you through the practical process, you should consult with an attorney if you have questions about your specific rental contract or obligations.

The goal is always transparency, professionalism, and protecting all parties involved.

Option Three: Blend Both Strategies With a Customized Transition Plan

There are also hybrid situations — and these are surprisingly common.
A buyer may want the income from July and August but not the early fall rentals.
Or they may want to honor peak-season bookings but reclaim the home for personal use afterward.

In those situations, I build a custom approach:

• Some rentals are transferred

• Some are shifted

• Some are canceled

• Income is allocated accordingly

• And both parties get the flexibility they want

This is where having a specialist truly matters.
No two properties are the same.
No two rental calendars are the same.
And no two buyers approach this the same way.

You need someone who understands these dynamics intimately — not theoretically.
Someone who has navigated them dozens of times.
Someone who can see the path forward quickly, without drama, disruption, or guesswork.

That’s the approach I take with every shore seller navigating rental commitments.

How Transferring Income Can Strengthen Your Sale

Many sellers assume that rentals weaken their negotiating position. In reality, the opposite often occurs — especially when the buyer is open to a hybrid use of the home.

Being able to advertise the property as:

“Income producing immediately — future bookings already in place”

can significantly strengthen your listing’s presence.

It appeals to:

• investors seeking stability,

• new owners who want the home to pay for itself early,

• buyers who appreciate reduced risk upfront,

• and financially strategic purchasers who see the value in guaranteed returns.

This income-transfer strategy has helped multiple sellers achieve stronger offers, faster sales, and smoother negotiations. When buyers see documented history and future income, it reframes the narrative of the property — from a simple home sale to a performing asset.

It becomes clear that the renters aren’t a complication.
They’re a value enhancer, when paired with the right buyer.

Why the Jersey Shore Market Makes This Easier Than Most People Realize

Short-term rentals behave differently at the Jersey Shore than they do in typical inland markets. Shore towns operate on seasonal rhythms, predictable demand patterns, and deeply established rental cultures.

In markets like Ocean City, Margate, Ventnor, Longport, Brigantine, Sea Isle City, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, North Wildwood, and Cape May City, buyers expect rentals. They understand the income patterns. They understand the turnover schedules. They understand how deeply ingrained summer leasing is in the local economy.

Because of that, the conversation about inheriting rentals is not unfamiliar — it’s normal.
It’s part of how this market functions.

This is why selling with rentals on the books is often easier, not harder — especially when guided by someone who specializes in the unique dynamics of shore properties.

The Bottom Line: You Don’t Have to Choose Between Selling and Running Your Summer Rentals

Sellers often imagine they have two choices:

Sell the home
or
Honor the rentals

But you don’t have to choose.

You can do both.

And with the right strategy — a strategy that balances income, timing, buyer preferences, guest expectations, and your own plans — you can sell without disrupting your rentals, losing income, or undoing everything you’ve booked.

A specialist helps you see the path forward clearly.
And this is where I step in.

My job is to help sellers navigate the rental calendar, evaluate the buyer pool, structure the income transfer, protect your timeline, and make sure the home is positioned in the strongest possible way — with no added stress and no unnecessary guesswork.

Whether we transfer bookings, coordinate relocations, adjust the schedule, or build a hybrid plan, the goal is always the same:

Make your sale smooth, profitable, and fully aligned with your needs.

Here to Help!

If you’re thinking about selling a property with short-term rentals already booked — or you just want to understand your options — I’d be glad to walk you through the process. There’s no pressure and no obligation. Just clear, honest advice based on real experience helping shore sellers navigate this exact situation.

— Mike Sutley
Lexy Realty Group

Professional Note:

Every rental agreement is unique, and while I can guide you through the practical strategy, you should consult with an attorney for specific legal questions or obligations related to your bookings.