A property manager can take a lot of that off your plate, especially if you’re moving far enough that you can’t swing by. They handle tenants, repairs, and the paperwork, and they cost money, usually a percentage of rent plus fees, so run the numbers before you decide it’s worth it. Ask how they handle maintenance approvals and what they charge for a tenant turnover. The relationship is only as good as the contract, so read it carefully and get help if anything is unclear.
Taxes are the part where you want a CPA, not guesses. Rental income gets reported, expenses can often be deducted, and depreciation works in ways that surprise people. The big one for a house you’ve lived in is the two-out-of-five-years rule. In plain terms, if you owned and lived in the home as your main residence for at least two of the five years before you sell, you may be able to exclude some of the gain from capital gains tax. Renting it out changes the picture, especially if you’re out of the house for a long stretch, because the rental period can affect how much of that exclusion you keep. There are exceptions and details that depend on your situation, so talk to a CPA before you rent it out, not after.
If you’re weighing this against your options and you’re not sure, a HUD-approved housing counselor can help you think through the decision without selling you anything. The honest answer is that whether to rent or sell depends on your numbers, your timeline, and how much landlord work you want in your life. Run the rent against the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and repairs, and be realistic about vacancies. If the math is thin, selling may be cleaner. If you can cover the costs and you want to keep the house, renting can work, but go in with your eyes open and your professionals lined up.
There is a fuller write-up at rent it out or sell when you move.