Revisit: Corporate Relo: keep or sell?

[Adam L.]

Revisiting this topic from this post 2 weeks ago after meeting w/ the Relo Realtors and gathering more information.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/835654-corporate-relocationdo-i-keep-my-house-to-rent-or-sell-it?highlight_post=4912806&page=1#p4912806

Wondering if anyone on this board could help me with calculating the value of the total relo benefit, the opportunity cost, vs keeping the house to rent.

Background:

• premium corporate relocation package, moving away from a nice neighborhood in Austin, TX.
• home backs up to a golf course, 4BR home, large lot, 10-rated school districts, great community (the kind where you know all your neighbors and hang out on driveways for happy hour, before COVID)
• Purchased 2016 for $542k. Financed $417k. PITI = $3000/mo.
• Current appraisal and estimated list price is $750k (wtf!), coming from 2 different realtors provided by Relo company.
• If I sell my home, relo company will reimburse me the 6% commission and pay closing costs, and 'tax up' the benefit (meaning they pay the taxes on the value of the benefit). I have upto 12 months to sell home.
• rental rates are uncertain and hard to find comps. I think I could rent for sure @ $3000/mo but would need to find a higher rate just to break even when factoring everything in.
• I do not *need* to sell this house to purchase my next house, but it certainly would make things easier

So, wow. big benefit offer. How do I value the opportunity cost of not selling the house and taking money off the table VS the equity gain of holding the property? I'm considering holding it as a rental for 2  reasons.

1. Austin is a special market, specifically, this sub-market is even more special. House are appreciating way more than 6%. This seems to be a great investment for the equity play.
2. The emotional aspect. If I ever do move back to Austin, I'm afraid I'll be priced out of this amazing neighborhood. Families often choose to add on a 2nd floor rather than move and find a bigger house because they want to stay in this neighborhood.

Anyone able to help me do the math or share a calculator that factors in the opportunity cost of taking the cashout ($364k equity, $45k realtor commission, closing costs, CapGains exclusion) vs holding for a rental (zero or negative cash flow but strong equity appreciation).