The children are gone and you want to downsize; however, you want to keep your current home for future generations. To cover the costs of maintaining your home, you may decide to rent it out via The Listing Team, but first things first: You have years of possessions and memories to declutter.

Downsizing Your Keepsakes and Sentimental Items

When transitioning to a smaller space, choose which keepsakes can fit into your new abode. After you've chosen the most important ones to take with you, there are several ways to handle the rest:

•          Let children and immediate family members choose keepsakes for their own homes.

•          Give keepsakes as gifts to friends and extended family.

•          Take photos of the things you must donate or sell, and scan important photos and documents. Store them in a digital album in the cloud, where you can add a written memory of the item to share with friends and family.

Dealing With Larger Items in an Eco-Friendly Way

After the family has chosen items they want, you may want to sell what you can and responsibly recycle larger items, such as appliances, furniture, and electronics. You can leave kitchen and laundry appliances for the renters or try to find proper businesses or organizations that accept donations so they'll be used, not scrapped. Charitable organizations that help find housing for the homeless or local shelters may need them. As a last resort, list them on a local Buy Nothing or Freebie group online so they can go to those who need them instead of the landfill.

Cleaning the Empty House

Since you may be renting the house, use eco-friendly green products so the products don't irritate possible sensitivities or allergies in the new tenants.  Some inexpensive homemade products that are very effective include:

•          Equal parts white vinegar and water to clean surfaces and windows; add a squirt of dishwashing liquid to clean the inside of your refrigerator or to soak and remove any greasy or stuck-on splatters

•          Hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from countertops

•          Baking soda for scratch-free scrubbing of stubborn stains

•          Baking soda and white vinegar to clear drains and clean the toilet bowl

•          Oxygen cleaner powder is good for cleaning grout in showers and floor tile

There are many green cleaners on the market for everything from carpets to ovens. If you've had pets in the home, consider professional green cleaning of your carpets.

Securing Your Home for the Renters

To secure your home before you move out, use a professional locksmith to install durable and trustworthy door locks and make sure other entry points, such as windows and crawl spaces, are break-in proof. To find a ‘residential locksmith near me:’

•          Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations.

•          Check out customer testimonials and ratings.

•          Check their ID, license, and insurance.

•          Ask whether they're bonded or offer a warranty.

•          Get a written estimate and invoice.

Locking Up and Moving Out

You've decluttered, deep cleaned, fixed up, and secured the house properly in an eco-friendly way. All there is to do now is lock up and move on to your new downsized life, feeling confident that the new renters will be happy in your old house and make their own memories.