"What to do about your home when you go on a mission..."

Very interesting question.  It seems there are only a few options available that I have seen over the years:

1) Sell it.
2) Rent it out.
3) Leave it vacant.
4) Have someone live in it.

Sell it:  Very easy in a way.  You don't have to worry about your home while you are gone.  No more furniture unless you put some of it into storage, and you are a free nomad to consider what to do after the mission.  I guess your family can put you up after the mission while you readjust, but then again, I would think you would want to have someplace to go after the work of being a missionary.  I believe my wife and I are looking forward to coming back to our home right after the mission.  Feels comfortable in many ways.

Rent it out:  To whom would you rent it out?  Who do you trust?  You could just rent it out to anyone.  Solicit adds and then find someone.  Maybe you find a missionary couple that is living in your area and have them live in it.  If so, do you leave it all furnished or just leave some things in it.  What about your valuables?  Do you place them in storage?  Which storage facility?  They differ in price too, let me tell you.  Do you build a shed out back?  How about someone in the Ward where you live?  Young couple?  Transitional couple?  Someone living here for a period of time only?  Do they stay the whole time you are gone?

Leave it vacant: This is probably the easiest decision in a way.  Everything stays the same.  Just walk out and everything will be the same when you come back...
Maybe.  If you have lots of plants, etc.  who will take care of them?  You could have a friend or kid from the Ward periodically come and check on the place and do a few chores.  How about the outside?  Gardener?  What about repairs that need to be done?  Probably should have them all done before you leave.  Leave nothing to chance.

Have someone live in it:  Much like have someone rent your place, but you are giving that someone a break by living in your place.  This also straddles the thought of leaving it vacant as well.  It is just that someone is in it more than just leaving it vacant.  How about that nice little couple, again, going to school close by you and needing a break themselves?  I can think of a couple I would have approached in our Ward, but certainly would not approach just any couple either. Family member?

So, as you can see;  there are a few things to consider, just with your home, which most, if not all Senior Couples can consider.  Whatever it is, don't wait until the last moment to make a decision.  Take some time and plan.

We chose #4.  Thank you Colleen and Lance.  Just so happens Lance is being deployed and Colleen and the boys can move in and then they can save money, be by their family members, utilize a good school district, see some friends and have the strength of the Ward.