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A hoarded property creates two separate issues:
The contents.
and:
The house underneath them.
Until enough contents are removed, you may not even know the property's true condition.
Safety First
Severe hoarding can involve:
- Blocked access.
- Trip hazards.
- Pest activity.
- Animal waste.
- Moisture.
- Structural concerns.
- Biohazards.
Use appropriate professionals when necessary.
Preserve Important Property
Do not send a crew in with instructions to throw away everything until family and estate considerations are addressed.
Important documents and valuables can be buried inside ordinary clutter.
Partial Clean-Out or Full Clean-Out?
Lisa can help evaluate whether the market strategy requires:
- Complete clean-out.
- Partial clean-out.
- As-is sale with contents.
Different properties justify different approaches.
What Is Under the Clutter?
Once accessible, inspect major systems and condition.
You may discover the house is structurally better than expected.
Or worse.
Either way, now you're making a decision with information.
Market It Honestly
A distressed property needs appropriate photography, description, pricing and buyer expectations.
Trying to make a severely distressed property sound like a “charming fixer with endless possibilities” fools nobody.
Important
Don't empty it before Lisa sees it if you're overwhelmed. She can walk through and help create the order. See do I need to clean out an inherited house.
