<prompt> Human: So here is the low down. We currently own a nice home valued around 120k. We owe 30k on it. We are looking to move closer to work about an hour away. We were pondering what the best option would be to do with our current home. Its in a nice town, quiet neighborhood, huge yard 1,800 square feet. Do we look to rent? Do we sell outright pay off the balance and then dump the remaining money onto a new loan? We are looking at homes around 135k right now. If my math is right very well may be off I see us selling with around 110k left. Paying off the loan leaves us about 80k. Which in turn leaves us around 55k on a new loan. The other option we are considering is renting. Ive heard 1 of the value of the home for rent, is this correct? If so thats 1,200 a month rent our current payment is around 260 a month. Just really trying to make a better decision at this point in preparation for a better savings. Would love to hear thoughts or if we are going down the right path of thinking this way.  <response>: It works if your renter doesnt destroy the place. And pays the rent. You are still on the hook for maintenance, property taxes, taxes on the profit of your rental property. Much less risky to sell and have a lower mortgage on the new place. 