I think are benefits/drawbacks to both scenarios. 

Unless you are unknowledgable, my bet is you could make more from rent than sale, and still have the benefits of owning the original home while you go do something else.The 25K you have left in property will be netting you(gross) of $350 mo or 4200 per year.

Many benefits to doing so. 2) If you are going to invest outside your area, the one thing I rarely see mentioned here is simply the "investment landscape".

Syracuse is definitely experiencing a lot of hype at the moment because of Micron, and we're seeing lots of renovated options on the market in areas that likely won't benefit from the new campus.

That is numerator.

In New Jersey, there are numerous brokerages to chose from, and I highly suggest you do a google search and look into 100% virtual real estate brokerages in New Jersey. 

That's my biggest concern.But I should also look at the tax and long term benefits.

I'm sure you'll recall the numerous back and forth emails you and I had, following your many emails to our employees.

I think any seller without much knowledge of being the lender would appreciate the added benefits and hassle free approach using a third party.

Their success speaks volumes however, its a bit much for me to stomach for a potential benefit.