Your decision about whether to rent or sell your current home will be based on the projected length of your international assignment, the tax implications for your individual situation, and the likelihood of your returning to the same location. If you are being moved by your employer, the relocation benefits you receive will also play a role in your decision.

Selling Your Home

If you are selling a home in the United States, our Selling section can help you with agent selection, pricing your home, merchandising your home, and negotiating the closing.

Renting Your Home

Many employees transferring to a new country have not rented their homes before, and being a landlord entails a new set of responsibilities and a corresponding viewpoint about your home. Since few tenants maintain a home in the condition an owner would, you may find it advisable to arrange for ongoing maintenance (on items such as chimney cleaning, lawn care, pool service, or any other special needs) to ensure both the safety and the condition of your home and property.

Whether you manage the lease yourself or have a third-party company or agent handle it for you, here are some things to consider:

• Take a complete inventory of the home when you leave, including its condition and any items you are leaving behind; document the condition by taking photographs or videotaping
• Arrange for inspections during the term of the lease to alert you to any developing problems and to serve as documentation when security deposits come up for review at the end of the lease term
• Include written contracts, detailing obligations and expectations, when arranging for the management of your home
• Remove all personal property and valuables from the home
• Arrange for all mail to be forwarded to your new address
• Arrange for all utilities to be switched to the name(s) of the tenant(s) or managing agent(s)
• Convert your insurance coverage to include extended vacancy coverage