We don't have a rental, but rather a small house ("plantation cottage") on the Big Island. Bought in early 2002 when it was cheap, but even so it's hard to afford, and I've not yet gotten it spruced up to the point where I can seriously consider renting it out while I'm away (which is a fair amount of the time), so when it's empty, I just keep paying the bills.

I am hoping to get to the point where I can make a living while spending less time away, and finish fixing it up all nice. Maybe after that's done, I can consider renting it out if I'm not going to be there.