Decide what must be known before choosing a date
Is the next address available? Do you know what will fit? Will any items need storage or another person's decision? Answering those questions makes a proposed handover date more meaningful than selecting one before the moving work is understood.
Break sorting into decisions you can finish
Identify items you will keep, items requiring a family conversation, and items needing another plan. You can describe the house to a potential buyer while sorting continues. Do not assume removal or moving services are included in a property purchase.
Compare preparation with the transition you want
A future listing may involve work you are willing to manage, while a direct proposal may offer another route to consider. Review actual price, costs, conditions, and tasks remaining. Choose based on the full transition rather than the promise of simplicity alone.
Set possession around a credible moving plan
Discuss the time needed to finish agreed removal and hand over the keys. If you request flexibility, get any arrangement documented. Your downsizing goal does not itself establish when the buyer can take possession.