When someone passes away and the heirs must sell a house that was home to a hoarder, the process can be daunting. They must act quickly – due to laws about inheriting and selling a home – but they must also be careful not to rush into anything. The first and most important step for selling a hoarder house is to begin to clear out the property.
Remove Anything Dangerous
The first priority is to remove anything that is dangerous, including sharp objects that could harm someone who is not familiar with the layout. This can be the hardest part of de-hoarding a property. Only you can decide what needs to be done to ensure the safety of all involved parties.
Organize What’s Left
Once the hazardous items are removed and disposed of properly, it’s time to begin organizing the home. Sort out what is important and what can be discarded. Have bags, bins, and boxes labeled for different categories such as trash, donations, valuable items and family heirlooms. This will make it easier to remove unnecessary items from the home and be able to distinguish between them.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Once the home is cleared out, it’s time to deep clean. Have a professional cleaning crew come in and provide a proper deep cleaning. This will help to bring the home up to a livable condition by eliminating the odors associated with accumulated clutter and dirt. Don’t forget to clean out the duct system; pet hair, dust and other debris accumulates in them over time.
Make Repairs
Your goal should be to make sure the home is in tip-top shape and ready to be sold. Look over the structure of the home to assess any abnormalities such as water damage or mold. Electrical and plumbing issues may also need to be sorted, which will likely involve a certified handyman. This could include unclogging sinks and fixing broken appliances.
Update Appearances
Now comes the fun stuff- the aesthetics! You want to give potential buyers the impression of a fresh start by making the home look inviting. Paint the walls and/or update the flooring to give the home an updated look that could spark a buyer’s interest.
Add Value
Depending on the size of the home and your budget, add any value-adding features you think potential buyers would be interested in such as a deck, pool, and/or Smart Home technology. Ask your real estate agent what makes sense for the home and its surrounding area.
Price The Home Appropriately
When pricing the home, look into current market values and what the competition is offering. Be realistic and don’t overprice, as this can decrease your chances of selling. Set a price that is fair to potential buyers and ensures you’ll get as much as possible from the sale.
List The Home
After setting a price, list the home on the market. You can opt for this to be done by a real estate agent or try to do it yourself. It’s best to do a bit of research here and see which option makes more sense and will provide the most amount of stress relief.
Selling a hoarder house can seem daunting, including all the physical and emotional energy involved in de-hoarding and getting the home prepared to be sold. However, it’s possible to make it a smooth process and ensure the home remains in good hands with the right buyers. Start with the steps above and you’ll be well on your way to selling the home safely and efficiently.
Sell The House As-is… Junk and All
The fastest, easiest, and most stress-free way to sell a hoarder house in Baldwin is to sell it to an honest, professional, and experienced homebuyer such as Down South Florida Home Buyers. When you sell to us, we will but the house as-is, no matter what you want to leave behind. We will handle your unwanted hoarder house in Baldwin, junk and all! You will be able to sell the house without any cleaning, repairs, or property showings. You can have all the time you need to clean out what you wish to keep… we will close whenever you are ready.
If you need to sell a hoarder house in Baldwin, reach out to our team before committing to an agent. Our team will make sure the selling process is fast and easy so you can sell your house fast in Baldwin without any extra costs, hassles, or wasted time!