When it comes to selling a hoarder house, the process typically becomes more complicated than selling a house in perfect condition. You need to pay extensive attention and invest a significant amount of time and money before you can list it to market.
Fortunately, opting for a cash sale can easily save you from these hassles. When a ‘we buy houses’ company purchases the house in as-is condition, you don’t have to think about any of these.
However, if you want a better offer, you need to follow these strategies.
See Who Actually Owns the House
First, you need to determine to whom the house belongs. Sometimes, sellers of hoarder homes become surprised to learn that the house is in someone else’s name or has a lien on it. This is extremely important because until you receive proper permission from the legal owner, you can do nothing with the house.
Make Necessary Arrangements for the Hoarder
Before you start preparing the house, you need to shift the hoarder if the person is still living in it. Or else, this may become a complicated situation, and the person may not let you touch anything without a fight.
Therefore, be sure to make proper accommodations for the hoarder, whether you plan on sending the person with a relative or to assisted living. Remember that you may need to seek professional help because hoarding is categorized as a medical condition.
Clean the House
The next major step is to get rid of all the junk from the house and have it thoroughly cleaned by professionals. Hiring professionals is important because hoarders often tend to save items for years.
You need to find cleaning professionals who’re experienced in working with hoarder homes. You also must arrange for a dumpster to clear all the junk out. Note that this process requires a significant amount of money and time, and hence, you need to be prepared.
Do Necessary Repairs and Upgrades
Once the junk is out, you need to focus on making necessary repairs and upgrades. You may have to remove curtains, carpets, etc. that may have become contaminated over many years.
You also need to address things like code violations, holes in the wall, broken light fixtures, etc. Sometimes, hoarder homes have bigger issues, such as mold growth or water damage that were never addressed.
Sell the Home As-Is
Considering the volume of investment and work involved in preparing a hoarder home, it often becomes a prudent decision to opt for a cash sale and sell it to a ‘we buy houses’ company. Such a company will buy the house in as-is condition, whether the belongings remain inside or not.
However, if you remove the junk, you may get a better price for the house. In case you don’t, you still won’t need to deal with the repairs and upgrades of the house. Moreover, you’ll be able to sell the house quickly and receive the cash that you can use to help the hoarder pay for his/her new accommodation.
