How to Sell a Hoarder House
Hoarding is a disorder characterized by obsessively keeping hold of objects and items regardless of their value. Usually, hoarding starts in one room of the home and then spreads, taking over other rooms, yards, garages, and other property. People with a hoarding disorder often do not consider it an issue, even though it is a serious problem that requires medical attention. These individuals usually live in this environment for many years, and when they pass away, their family members inherit their hoarding house.
Inheriting a hoarder home is overwhelming because new involuntary homeowners have to figure out what to do with the home — either clean and use it or sell it. If you have inherited a hoarder property and decided to sell, you should realize that it is not the easiest task. In many cases, selling this type of home feels almost impossible. However, it does not mean you cannot do it. In order to sell a hoarder home, here is what needs to be done.
Establishing Ownership of a Hoarder Home
It may seem unnecessary, but it is important to establish ownership of the property first. Oftentimes, the hoarder is not even the owner of the house. It is also possible that a family member has already taken over ownership or that the property has been put in a trust. Regardless of the situation, it is important to get all the necessary documentation to prove actual ownership of the property.
Hiring a Team of Professional Cleaners
When you are dealing with a normal house that you are trying to sell, general cleaning will be enough. However, a hoarder house is a whole different thing. In order to clean this type of home, you will need to hire a team of professional, experienced cleaners. Hoarder houses are not just dirty. There are many things that you do not want to deal with, including moldy food, chemicals, and even dead animals. Hoarder properties can be unsafe, and if you try to clean it yourself, you may accidentally hurt yourself or get sick.
Assessing the Damage
Cleaning up the mess is just the beginning in a way. A typical hoarder house is a property that has been neglected in many ways. There may be serious problems in the house’s structure that have probably not been dealt with for many years. Therefore, once you are done with cleaning, it is time to complete a damage assessment. You need to check the walls and floors and look at the plumbing, electrical systems, and other systems that are critical to daily living. Make a list of the appliances that need to be fixed. You should be prepared for the expenses involved with replacements, repairs, and fixes that need to be done before you list the house.
Considering Other Options
You can definitely try to sell your hoarder house the traditional way, which means hiring a realtor and investing a lot of money in order to prepare your property for selling. However, there are other, alternative options. One of them is selling your home as is to a real estate investor. This method allows you to save a lot of money because you do not have to clean the house or spend money on renovations and repairs. A real estate investor will have a look at your house and make a fair cash offer.
Sell Your Hoarder Home to Frank Buys Houses
If you inherited a hoarder home in Stockton, CA, or any other nearby community, and you want to sell it as quickly as possible, Frank Buys Houses is ready to help you. We buy all types of properties regardless of their condition, and we pay home sellers cash. You do not have to perform any fixes, repairs, or even cleaning. All you need to do is to give us a call, schedule a viewing of your property, and then receive a cash offer. The mission of Frank Buys Houses is to make the whole selling process as easy and straightforward as possible. Feel free to contact us any time. We will be glad to answer your questions.