Downsizing our family home of 11 years has been a big part of our plans for a while now. The aim was to pay off all debts, allow no lifestyle creep – if anything, drastic shrinkage, minimalist living for all family members, and rent the house out as a passive income revenue stream. We have taken no lavish holidays for the past 11 years and not upgraded cars. The house is much the same.
The house now is an asset which produces an income. But sadly to get it to the point to produce an income, it has to be picture ready to put on the rental market. We have experience as landlords so we know how to enhance the appeal of our home. Luckily, we have been planning this for so long we have made plenty of key adjustments to the house.
In the build up over the past few years we have redone the ensuite, paved the rear patio and changed the garage doors. Now in the final stages, decorating has taken precedent to get rid of the years of marks from the kids running up and down the stairs and leaning on walls. Any new marks are noted and punishments follow.
The kids have collected a lot of things over the years, particularly our boy who enjoys all things collectable, trinkety and sciencey.
I regularly made tip runs to cull the excesses. Six months before leaving, the children were given a large tupperware box (100x 45 x45) to hold all their bedroom belongings. These boxes are to be stored at their grandparents house. Cruel I am sure, but necessary. The first two / three months we are planning to spend in the motorhome – Sassy, so no room for the extras. Also there is some good evidence that minimalist living for kids is good for their mental health (Wati et al, 2025).
L and I have spent many weekends and evenings sorting out books, memory boxes, old bikes, pictures, DVD’s, precious item (my family love collectible books). The worst parts for us were the loft, our bedroom and our son’s room. The garage luckily was filled with work tools, electronics, exercise gear and landscaping materials – but was regularly cleared. I will put my tools into storage and some key items will go to family members for storage. I found it very easy to downsize my wardrobe. Most of my clothes were fruit of the loom, so no fuss there. With the kids growing so much we regularly recycle their clothes and normally buy their clothes from Vinted. Items that are lingering currently are, golf paraphernalia, artwork, books, board games and stationary. Plus we still have our beds to get rid of. A skip will be used in the final month of us clearing out.
The house has now been redecorated (self – £500), carpeted (£2200) and cleaned from top to bottom. The house is clean ready to rent out, so the photos look half decent on Rightmove. The agents are coming at the end of the week to give us the appraisal and list the property. As the house is quite large and close to all the commuter stations and an hour outside London we are hoping for either a young professional family, or a retired couple.
Although I have to keep tidying up after the kids a little, it has been cathartic and the process has helped us gather momentum heading toward the finish line.
