There are two primary options for homeowners looking to sell a hoarded home. You can either sell the house As Is, or you can get it cleaned up and listed. Both ways have pros and cons, but the choice is different for everyone. If you sell As Is there is almost no work required on your part, but you also won’t get much money for your property. Cleaning up the home will usually yield a lot more profit, but prepping the property requires certain steps before it will sell.
Clutter and Junk Removal
The first step in getting your home sold is to clear out all excess clutter. One of the reasons hoarded homes don’t sell for a lot of money is because the sheer amount of clutter deters buyers. Potential buyers like to envision themselves in the home and the more clutter there is, the less likely they’ll be able to do that. Make sure the living spaces of the home are clear and most of the belongings are removed. Furniture and large appliances can be left if they’re in good condition.
Deep Cleaning
People living under hoarded conditions oftentimes aren’t able to clean as well as usual because certain areas of the home are inaccessible. This can lead to a buildup of gross filth and generally unsanitary conditions. It’s really important that things be presentable because even buyers looking to flip the home may turn away from the property if there are conditions like animal waste, mold, and excessive dirt. Make sure everything in the home is sanitized and clean before listing it.
Pest Control
In a lot of cases, hoarding also comes with pest or vermin infestations. Pests are particularly problematic because they can mess up so many areas of the home. Hard to get rid of infestations like termites, roaches, or bed bugs can linger and mess up the house’s structure, floors, and walls. Pest control should only be done after the home is cleared out. Trying to do pest control before clutter removal usually leads to the treatments being ineffective.
Repairs
Hoarded homes will almost always need additional physical repairs. If the home was hoarded for long enough, it’s likely that things like heat or water are no longer working. There is also the potential for mold and water damage. In extreme cases, hoarding can cause physical damage to many parts of the home, including the foundation. All of these issues will have to be resolved before the home can be sold.
If you decide that preparing the property for sale is the right thing for your situation, there are companies that can help with the bulk of the work.
