Then I laid it out. Rented, the house might bring in about $2,200 a month; after fees, taxes, and upkeep, closer to $1,700 net, which split three ways came to just under $570 each a month — around $6,800 a year apiece.

“Over ten years,” I said, “that’s sixty-eight thousand each in passive income, and the house would likely appreciate, so the eventual sale would be higher than today’s.”

Scott frowned. “That assumes everything goes smoothly.”

“It assumes normal conditions and decent management. Not guaranteed — but it’s the pattern for this neighborhood.”

“What if one of us needs the money before ten years?” Amber asked. It wasn’t an argument; it was a fair question.

“Then we revisit it,” I said. “We can always sell later. Renting doesn’t lock us in forever.”