Rent or Sell Your House to Travel? Our Honest Take After Going All-In

Should you rent or sell your house to travel? Discover what worked for us and explore options to fund your full-time nomadic life.

When we first decided to take an “adult gap year” and embrace full-time travel, we thought choosing where to go would be the hardest part. Turns out, the real dilemma came before we ever packed a bag: Should we rent or sell our house?

It’s a crossroads many aspiring retired nomads face, especially those of us stepping into retirement or semi-retirement. The decision isn’t just financial. It’s emotional, logistical, and deeply personal. Your house might represent safety, memories, or even your identity. But it might also become an anchor that keeps you from fully stepping into your new chapter of freedom.

For us, the answer was clear, though not easy. We sold. And looking back now, we know it was absolutely the right call.

In this post, we’re sharing the full story of how we came to that decision, and all the angles we considered along the way. We’ll break down the pros and cons of renting vs selling, share some less-obvious questions you’ll want to ask yourself, and offer up a few alternative options you might not have thought of.

Our hope? That by the end of this post, you’ll feel more confident about choosing the path that’s right for you, whether that’s selling up, renting out, or finding a creative middle ground.

The Big Questions To Ask Yourself First

Before diving into spreadsheets, real estate websites, or long chats with a real estate agent or property manager, take a step back and ask yourself these foundational questions. These aren’t just about finances, they’re about mindset, goals, and how you want to live.

1. Do I Want To Be A Landlord?

This was a big one for us. Being a landlord, especially from the other side of the world, isn’t as passive as people think. Even with a property manager, you’re still the one making decisions, covering costs, and worrying when something breaks. Ask yourself: Does that mental load align with the freedom I want from travel?

2. Is This The Home I Truly Want To Return To?

We knew we wouldn’t want to live in our house again. It was too big for just the two of us, and didn’t suit the more simplified, travel-friendly lifestyle we were moving towards. Be honest: Is this home still your “forever home”, or was it just right for a past chapter?

3. Does Renting Your Home Make Sense Financially?

Do the numbers stack up after mortgage payments, property manager fees, property and landlord insurance, taxes, and potential repairs? Would you still come out ahead if you had a few months of vacancy? And if you’re relying on that income to fund your travels, what’s your backup plan if things go wrong?

4. Do I Need Access To The Equity In My Home To Travel?

For us, the answer was no, but only if we had income coming in from rent (and this was not an option for us). Our decision to sell allowed us to release equity and invest those funds into our travel lifestyle. Consider whether holding onto your house is preventing you from funding the life you want now.

5. Do I Have A Reliable Backup Plan If I Return Home?

Having a space to return to, even if it’s not “yours”, can offer peace of mind. Luckily, we have a dedicated space in my mum’s house, with our own bedroom and bathroom. If you sell, think ahead: Where will you go if you need to return temporarily or permanently?

These five questions helped guide our decision, more than any spreadsheet could. In the next sections, we’ll dive into the specific pros and cons of selling vs renting, along with a few alternative options.

Option 1 – Selling Your House Before Long-Term Travel

Selling your home before long-term travel is a huge step, and it comes with both opportunities and challenges to consider.

Why Selling Was Right for Us

For us, selling wasn’t just about the money, it was about peace of mind.

Our house wasn’t built for the kind of stress-free life we wanted to live while travelling full-time. It was already nearly 10 years old and came with a long list of potential maintenance issues: a pool, solar panels, a rainwater tank, four air conditioning units… We imagined ourselves fielding emails about leaky pipes or broken systems from halfway across the world, and realised quickly, that wasn’t how we wanted to spend our time.

We also knew we didn’t want to live in that house again. It was too large for just the two of us, and we envisioned our next home being something smaller, simpler — a lock-up-and-leave apartment, perhaps.

Selling gave us clarity and freedom. We were able to capitalise on a strong market and sell for top dollar, without watching the value potentially deteriorate through tenant wear and tear. It also meant we could release the equity tied up in the property and invest it wisely, funding our travels without the burden of ongoing mortgage payments or property stress.

And we weren’t left stranded. We had a backup: a dedicated space in my mum’s home with our own bedroom and bathroom. That gave us a soft landing if we ever needed to pause or reset.

Financial and Strategic Advantages

• Immediate access to equity: Selling allowed us to use the value of our home to fund travel, invest, and create a financial buffer.
• No landlord obligations: No tenants, no managers, no midnight phone calls about maintenance disasters.
• Freedom to travel without baggage (literally and figuratively): No house hanging over our heads, just open skies and endless possibilities.
• Sold at peak value: Timing the sale well meant we could make the most of a strong market.

Potential Downsides — and What We Accepted

• Harder to re-enter the property market later: This is a biggie. We knew we might be priced out in the future, especially if we returned to Australia. But for us, that was a trade-off we were willing to make, because we weren’t sure we’d ever settle there again anyway.
• No fixed address: There are some admin challenges (mail, banking, tax), but we found workarounds that suited our lifestyle.
• Letting go of a home: Selling a place full of memories isn’t easy. But sometimes letting go of “stuff” opens space for something new, and that’s exactly what it did for us.

Things to Understand Before You Sell

• The true cost of selling: Think about agent fees, legal costs, moving expenses, any pre-sale improvements.
• Capital gains: If it was your primary residence, you may be exempt, but always check the rules in your country.
• Emotional readiness: Even when it’s the “smart” decision, it can still be emotionally hard. Be prepared to feel a mix of freedom and grief.

Option 2 – Renting Out Your House While You Travel

For many would-be nomads, renting feels like the sensible middle ground — holding onto your property while generating income. But as we discovered, it comes with realities worth weighing carefully.

Why Renting Wasn’t Right for Us

We gave this serious thought. Like many would-be nomads, we initially saw renting as the best of both worlds — keeping a foothold in the property market while earning income to support our travels.

But when we looked closer, it just didn’t add up.

Our house wasn’t ideal for tenants. It was already nearly 10 years old and packed with features that would inevitably need ongoing / yearly maintenance i.e. pool, air-con units, solar panels etc. We knew these things wouldn’t just wear out, they’d need attention, often urgently. And we didn’t want to be handling repair decisions from the other side of the globe.

Even with a property manager, we’d still be the ones ultimately responsible. That lingering mental load — wondering if things were being handled well, worrying about costs creeping up, needing to make decisions at a distance — just didn’t fit the kind of carefree travel lifestyle we were aiming for.

And emotionally? We knew this wasn’t the house we wanted to return to. It was too big for us, no longer aligned with our future lifestyle, and we envisioned living somewhere smaller and simpler down the road.

Is Your House a Good Fit for Renting?

Ask yourself:

• Is it relatively new or low-maintenance?
• Would it appeal to reliable long-term tenants or travellers?
• Are you emotionally okay with strangers living in (and potentially wearing down) your space?

If you’re hesitating on any of those, as we were, renting might not be the right path, at least not without a strong support system in place.

The Realities of Being a Long-Distance Landlord

Even if you hire a property manager, you’re still responsible for:

• Paying bills associated with the property i.e. insurance, rates etc.
• Authorising repairs
• Handling vacant periods
• Covering ongoing costs that rental income might not fully offset
• Responding to issues, sometimes urgently

And managing the manager? That’s a job in itself. You’ll need to vet them, monitor their decisions, and trust them to represent your best interests, all while you’re potentially in a different time zone.

Financial Questions to Consider

• Does rental income cover all costs (mortgage, property management, maintenance, insurance, taxes)?
• What happens if it sits vacant for a month or two?
• Can you absorb surprise costs, or would they derail your travel plans?

Renting Considerations

Long-Term Tenancy

• Lower turnover, more predictable income
• Less flexibility to use the house yourself
• Wear-and-tear over time

Short-Term or Holiday Letting

• Potentially higher returns
• Higher management complexity and costs
• Risk of inconsistent bookings

The Principal Residence Capital Gains Exemption

If you’re renting your primary home, check whether you’re eligible to claim the capital gains tax exemption when you eventually sell. Rules vary by country, but this can make a big difference down the line.

Option 3 – House Sitting

This might not be the first solution that comes to mind when you’re asking whether to rent or sell, but for some, house sitting can offer a low-stress middle ground.

If you’re only planning short-term travel (say, under 6–12 months), house sitting can help you:

• Keep your home occupied and cared for
• Avoid the administrative and financial complexity of formal renting
• Potentially save money on property management services

But for full-time travellers like us, house sitting wasn’t a realistic option. It doesn’t generate income, and it’s rarely suited for multi-year adventures. You’ll still need to carefully vet sitters, stay in contact, and have backup plans in case things go wrong.

For short-term trips, though, or as a temporary strategy while you make a long-term decision, it might be worth considering.

Option 4 – Leave the Property Vacant

Some travellers consider simply locking up their home and leaving it empty. On paper, it might sound simple — no tenants, no fuss. But in reality?

There are real risks and hidden costs:

• Insurance premiums often skyrocket (or policies become void) when a home sits empty too long
• A vacant house deteriorates faster — plumbing, electrical systems, pests, weather damage, pools
• Security risks increase — break-ins, vandalism, or potentially squatters in some areas
• You’ll still be paying for council rates, insurance, and general upkeep

For us, this wasn’t a long-term solution, but for those dipping their toes into travel or looking to explore slowly while keeping a home base, it’s definitely an option worth exploring.

Going Fully Nomadic Without a Home Base

This is the path we ultimately chose, and while it’s not without its challenges, it’s also been one of the most freeing decisions we’ve ever made.

Letting go of a physical home allowed us to embrace a more minimalist, experience-rich lifestyle. No mortgage, no maintenance, no “anchor” keeping us tied to a particular place. Just the open road (or sky), and the freedom to choose where we wanted to be next.

Of course, this lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and it does come with trade-offs. Home ownership is just one aspect of the pros and cons of nomad life.

Pros of Going Fully Nomadic

• Ultimate freedom: You can go where you want, when you want, for as long as you want.
• Fewer possessions: It encourages simplicity and lightness — no attic full of “just in case” stuff.
• Immersive travel: You’re not dipping in and out — you’re living like a local, often for weeks or months at a time.
• Flexibility to evolve: You can adapt your plans without worrying about what’s happening back home.

Cons of Going Fully Nomadic

• No fixed address: Things like banking, taxation, or even receiving mail can become more complex.
• Emotional dislocation: Without a “home base”, you may sometimes feel adrift, especially during difficult times or travel burnout.
• Limited belongings: Everything you own must fit in your luggage. There’s no room for sentiment or seasonal items.
• Relationships may shift: Maintaining close ties can be harder when you’re always moving, though not impossible with effort.

Going nomadic doesn’t mean you’ll never have a home again. But it does mean being intentional about what you give up, and what you gain in return. For us, the clarity, simplicity, and expansive freedom outweighed the downsides.

Pros and Cons of Having a Home Base While Travelling

If selling your home or going fully nomadic feels too extreme, maintaining a home base while travelling can be a middle path. It offers emotional comfort and logistical convenience, but it’s not without trade-offs, especially if your travels are long-term or indefinite.

Here’s what to consider.

Pros of Having a Home Base

• Sense of belonging: A home provides familiarity, comfort, and a connection to your local community, something many nomads miss.
• Storage for belongings: You don’t have to part with sentimental or seasonal items — they’ll be waiting for you when you return.
• Family and social ties: Staying rooted in one place helps you maintain strong relationships, especially with ageing parents or adult children.
• Simplifies logistics: Residency, taxation, healthcare access, mail, and banking are all easier when you have a permanent address.

Cons of Having a Home Base

• Financial burden: You’ll be paying for utilities, insurance, taxes, and maintenance, even when you’re not there.
• Less freedom: Knowing you’re tied to a location (or a mortgage) can impact how far or long you feel comfortable travelling.
• Ongoing maintenance: Even if you’re not living in it, a home requires care,  or a trusted person to manage it in your absence.

This was one of our biggest considerations: Would maintaining a home enrich our lifestyle — or restrict it? In the end, the freedom we gained by selling and not having to “split our energy” made the choice clear.

Take your time with these:

1. Do I Want To Be A Landlord?

Not just on paper — but in real life, while living in different time zones and possibly without reliable Wi-Fi?

2. Is My House A Good Fit For Renting?

Think beyond rental income. Is it easy to maintain? Will tenants treat it well? Will managing it from afar disrupt your travel experience?

3. Do I Want (Or Need) Access To The Equity In My Home?

If the funds locked in your property are the difference between someday travel and right now, selling may be the more empowering option.

4. Am I Emotionally Ready To Let Go Of My Home?

Some people sell with zero hesitation. Others feel deep sadness or regret. Be honest about your emotional attachment, and whether it’s still serving your future.

5. Do I Plan To Return To This Home — Or Even This Country?

If not, what purpose does the home serve? And if yes, would you be happy to return after years of tenants or vacancy?

6. Do I Have A Fallback Plan For When I Return?

Whether it’s a guest room at a parent’s house, a rental fund, or a dream to settle abroad, it helps to have a re-entry strategy.

These are the questions we wrestled with ourselves, and they helped us choose the path that ultimately gave us the freedom, flexibility, and financial clarity we needed to embrace this nomadic chapter wholeheartedly.

In Summary: Rent Or Sell My Home? There’s No One Right Answer — Only the Right Fit for You

For us, selling our house was more than a financial decision, it was a lifestyle choice. It gave us freedom, clarity, and the ability to travel full-time without the weight of “what’s happening back home” hanging over us.

But that doesn’t mean it’s the right move for everyone.

Renting can make sense if your home is low-maintenance, you’re emotionally attached, or you want a steady income stream. Keeping a home base can offer comfort and logistical ease. And alternative paths, like home swaps or house sitting, might strike a balance between freedom and familiarity.

The key is to look beyond the numbers. Think about the kind of life you want to live. The freedom you’re seeking. The mental bandwidth you’re willing to give to property concerns. And the long game — not just what works now, but what will still feel right in five or ten years.

Whatever path you choose, make it one that supports your journey, not one that limits it.