I think the answer depends largely on "after the trip". If you're not planning on coming back sell the lot, but that's a pretty irrevocable step and you're stuffed if your plans change and you've nothing to come back to. Certainly the prospect of being homeless or forking out thousands for rent in my old age doesn't thrill me. Even furniture costs a lot to replace if you've disposed of it all.
A more flexible scheme, assuming you own your place, is to rent it out while you're away. At worst it'll cover your mortgage and at best you'll have a steady income stream to put towards your day to day travelling expenses. Valuables or heirlooms can usually be stored with a friend or relative, and houses can be rented out furnished. In theory at least, you should tell your mortgage lender, and definitely you should tell your house insurer.
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