If the house is listed for sale it does not count as a rental it is an investment property or second home.
The reasons that house is not being rented do not matter, if the house is not available to rent then it is a second home or an investment property.
Yes, you are correct you cannot take a rental loss/deductions. It you put money into the house to repair it, the amounts are added to your basis in the house and taken when you sell the house.
@sean2
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