How much should I tell or not tell a prospective landlord?

If you own rental properties or know about the business, please help me.

I own a 5-bedroom house that my late husband bought in 1972 and that’s too big for me now. (I moved in 5 years later.) I’m thinking seriously about moving back east, where I have family.

But first I have to downsize. It won’t be easy. There’s nearly 50 years’ accumulation of stuff in this house, including attic, basement, and garage, much of which belonged to my husband, but is now mine to deal with.

My thought is to rent a modest 1-BR or 2-BR unit nearby and quasi-move into it, as a transitional step. There are many duplexes in this area, and one of those would do. I’d sort the keepers from the dumpers that way, with the benefit of do-overs. I imagine that would take about six months, and that’s with help. Then I would move just the keepers to a new (old) place in New England.

I have a realtor who will take care of what’s left here and sell the house.

My preference is to be up front and honest with a prospective landlord:

•  I wouldn’t really live there, although I would stay there some of the time.
•  I might want to let my grown son stay there part time, in my absence.
•  I would aim to leave sometime next spring.

Is it a terrible idea to lay that out in advance? If so, what should I say instead? Or if not, will it kill my chances of renting a place?

I would use the place lightly, so a whole redo shouldn’t be necessary before the next tenant.

Thanks for any knowledgeable advice.