I had exactly that fear before listing mine and delayed the decision for almost two years. What changed my mind was realizing the house was aging faster unused than occupied responsibly. I eventually worked with a local management company at stay49(point)com and they handled guest screening, cleaning verification, and maintenance schedules so I didn’t have to micromanage.

The biggest relief was monthly reporting — I always knew what happened inside the property. Surprisingly, guests treated it better than some visiting friends had in the past. Financially it covered taxes and upkeep while still leaving me free weeks to stay myself. Emotionally, it stopped feeling like a burden and became an asset again. If you’re unsure, I’d say check them out because structured management matters more than renting vs not renting.