I speak as Canadian, but real estate rules are quite similar in some US states.
Insurance will often require that someone lives there for more than 6 months. Renters, family members, you.....
There may be an "empty home tax" if your state struggles with affordable housing. If not now, maybe in the future.
There were numerous scams in Canada where criminals were able to separate owners from their property because the home was fully paid off and no one lived there. It was in the news. This scam would be a lot harder to pull off (probably impossible) if there was a mortgage on the property.
Just something to think about if you live overseas and house is sitting empty.