Relocating to UK - sell or rent house bought only last year.

[Ben G.]

Hi there, We bought a house last April in a heritage area of Richmond VA,great elementary schools, character etc & locked into a great 15 yr rate with unlimited overpayment. We paid full price for it which wasn't ideal, but my wife became pretty emotionally attached to it and it is in a good location for a family home, great area etc ( but I know I didn't get a great deal on price)Unfortunately or fortunately, I am being transferred to the UK at short notice,and my long term plans for the house are up in the air. To give more info: We are moving to a house in the UK that has manageable low(ish)monthly mortgage payment. But I couldnt manage both payments here & in the UK comfortably, if we were not able to rent the Richmond house out. Im wondering if we should put the house up for sale in the hope it shifts fairly quickly, or try and cover the nut on both property's until we can rent it out for enough to cover most of the mortgage in Richmond,keeping to the buy & hold strategy that we were starting to implement. In the long run, I feel this would be preferable.I'm aware that a lot of these questions are based on what ifs and fear! But I wonder if anyone with more experience has an instinct about the best way forward. I know it's a case by case, house by house situ but wondering if anyone has any initial instincts?I am also aware this is a high class problem to have and am grateful for the opportunities, just want to do what's best for my family. Thanks