Tips For Selling a Hoarder House

The American Psychiatric Association recognizes hoarding as a diagnosable disorder and mental condition. In fact, approximately 2% to 6% of the American population are hoarders.

Collectors (hoarders) have the endless need to acquire but not get rid of all sorts of items. As a result, their living and working spaces are usually cramped and messy, unsafe, and highly unsanitary. With the help of this post, you will learn how to get your hoarder home ready for the real estate market.

ELIMINATE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

Selling a hoarder home could give the hoarder a lot of anxiety and panic attacks that range from mild to wild. If it is your loved one’s house, you can explain why selling is the better option and remove them from their home. They may not like it or may even put up a fight, but you have to push through.

However, if you are a hoarder, contact your friends or family to help with the process. They will help you through the next steps of selling your house until you are stable enough to deal with the change.

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

Now that the most challenging part is over, make a plan to clean and fix the hoarder’s home. Given the never-ending clutter and piles of valueless items to sift through, a thought-out strategy is your only console. It will help you know where to start, how much you need, and how long it will take.

Make a list of cleaners, contractors, waste disposal companies, and plumbing companies – they will help you transform that house. Remember to also look for charities and potential buyers for all the items you want to get rid of.

GET TO CLEANING

Evidently, no hoarder house can sell on the real estate market as-is. You can either rent dumpsters, put on your gloves, and get to work with your loved ones, or hire the pros.

Suppose you can afford cleaning services, the better. Besides, many companies offer these services at very competitive rates. You can handle selling and donating items as the professionals spruce up the house.

PERFORM RENOVATIONS

Once the hoarder house is sparkling clean, perform all repairs and give the house a makeover. Get a contractor or specialist to inspect the walls, floors, roofing system, HVAC system, and plumbing. After repairs, upgrade the house by painting a new coat, refurbishing the furniture, and replacing outdated decorations.

SELL FOR CASH

The best tip in selling a hoarder house is selling to cash buyers only. The reason is, potential buyers assess the house and make an offer upfront. They won’t have another chance to second-guess their decision.

Thomas Myers with Sell House Fast Denver suggests that “if you do not want to go through all the headaches, sell your hoarder home to a cash house buyer and let them worry about revamps and repairs”.

Companies that buys houses for cash will typically buy badly damaged properties “as is,” that the average buyer aren't interested in buying. A cash buyer has funds to move quickly to make the entire process hassle-free for the seller.

There are many reasons to sell a hoarder house. You could have inherited the house, it could be facing foreclosure, or maybe you just want to turn over a new leaf. Whichever way, selling a hoarder house is not easy – but it is possible.