Sell A Hoarder House! Selling your hoarder house is a completely different experience than selling a traditional home. You could be dealing with years of clutter and junk inside the house, rooms you can’t access, damaged flooring, odors, insects or rodents, or deferred maintenance. If family members are involved, there may even be emotional issues at play. Sometimes the biggest challenge is just knowing where to start.
Luckily there are buyers who will consider your hoarded property. You don’t necessarily have to rent dumpsters for every room, invest in costly repairs, or make your house a traditional real estate listing before talking to a buyer.
Here are some questions owners frequently ask about selling hoarded houses.
What Is a Hoarder House?
Essentially a hoarder house is going to be one that has too many items, belongings, or junk inside. In many cases, family members may have accumulated so many things that they are unable to use their home normally.
You will often find trash, old furniture, boxes, clothing, appliances, and other debris throughout the house.
Hoarded properties come in all shapes and sizes. Some homes may only have junk or clutter in certain rooms. Other houses may have belongings stacked from floor to ceiling. You could also be dealing with mold, insects, rodents, water damage, broken fixtures, or other damages as well.
What Happens If I Don’t Clean the House First?
Not every home will need to be professionally cleaned first. This is one of the most common questions we receive from homeowners who need to sell a hoarded property.
Most traditional buyers will expect a house to be cleaned, repaired, photographed, inspected, and staged for potential showings. This process can be very difficult and overwhelming if the property has years of clutter and junk.
There are also buyers that will purchase your house as-is. Depending on the situation, the buyer may even be willing to see the property without you having to completely clean it out first.
Eliminating the cleanup, repairs, and staging can save a homeowner time, money, and stress.
What Happens During the Selling Process? Sell A Hoarder House
Once you contact a buyer you will simply explain the condition of your house. Be honest about what is inside and any additional problems you may be aware of. Providing photos can help a buyer understand the property without having to physically visit.
From there, the property will be evaluated. The buyer will consider location, square footage, overall condition, estimated repair costs, cleaning requirements, market value, and other factors when making you an offer.
If you and the buyer agree on terms and price, you can quickly close on the sale of your property. Sell a hoarder house NOW!
Do I Need to Repair the House Before Selling?
Making major repairs can actually reduce your return when selling a hoarded house. Repairing the flooring, painting walls, fixing the roof, plumbing or electrical, and remodeling will cost you time and money.
When you’re not sure how much work will be required to repair your house, it can help to look at potential sale price increases. Spending thousands of dollars on repairs may not net you significant money once the property sells.
The benefit of selling your hoarded house as-is lets you avoid completing repairs. You won’t have to worry about contractors, dumpsters, cleaners, estate services, or waiting months to prepare your property for sale. Instead, the buyer will take care of the house after closing.
Where Should I Keep Personal Belongings?
Personal belongings are one of the hardest parts of selling a hoarded house. If you have family members involved with the sale, everyone should come to an agreement on what you’d like to keep before throwing anything away.
You’ll want to look through documents, pictures, jewelry, cash, sentimental items, and any family records with extra care. Regardless of how cluttered your property is, you never want to throw away something important. Sell a hoarder house for cash!
Like documents, sift through everything carefully. You never know what could be buried in your garage or underneath old furniture.
Once everyone has removed the items they want to keep, you can discuss what to do with the remaining contents of the house. Depending on the agreement you make with your buyer, some or all of the items in the home may stay when the property changes owners.
Can I Sell My House As-Is with Junk Still Inside? Sell A Hoarder House
Yes, most hoarded properties can be sold as-is. Just keep in mind every sale is unique and depends on the property, buyer, title, local laws, and contractual agreements.
Selling your property as-is means the buyer knows the house needs work. They will pay you for the house in its current condition instead of expecting you to fix it up.
Speaking with a buyer that purchases homes as-is can be a huge relief. Whether the property has been vacant for years, left to family members, or you simply don’t have time to deal with junk. A buyer will be able to purchase your house quickly and easily. Sell a hoarder house!
Learn More About Selling Hoarded Houses
How do I Know How Much My Hoarder House is Worth?
It depends. Location, lot size, condition, comparable homes, repairs needed, and how much value the property has after junk is removed will all factor into your sale price.
Keep in mind damaged homes will typically sell for much less than a similar property that is in good condition.
Can I Sell My Hoarder House Without Cleaning it First?
Yes, in most cases you can sell your house without cleaning it first. There are real estate buyers that specialize in purchasing properties as-is or that require extensive cleanup and repairs.
Be sure you explain the condition of your property honestly and upfront. That way the buyer can evaluate your house correctly.
Do I Need to Throw Everything Away Before Closing? Sell a Hoarder House
Not always. This will come down to the agreement you make with the buyer. Clarify which items, furniture, appliances, or other junk will remain on the property in your contract.
Is selling a hoarder house different from selling any other house?
Typically, yes. Most traditional buyers will struggle to get financing for a hoarded house. They may also not want to deal with junk or take on repairs after buying your home.
Consider reaching out to a buyer that specializes in purchasing hoarded properties. They will know how to approach the situation and guide you through every step of the selling process.
What Should I do if My Hoarder House was Inherited?
Inherited homes can complicate the sale due to extra paperwork and family decisions. Ensure everyone involved understands the house is being sold and who has the authority to make decisions.
If your property goes through probate, you may need to resolve those issues before closing.
Selling a Hoarder House: Start Taking Action
Don’t let a hoarded property overpower you. The amount of junk, clutter, and belongings inside can make your house feel like an overwhelming burden. The good news is you don’t have to throw everything away, fix every problem, or stain every wall before selling your house.
Understand what your house needs to be sold, which personal belongings you’d like to keep, and determine if selling as-is makes sense for you. From there you can compare your options and decide which choice is best for you and your family.
Remember, you aren’t required to list your hoarded house with a traditional real estate agent. There are buyers who will consider your property in its current condition and simplify the selling process.
Can you sell a hoarder house?
Yes you can. Hoarder houses may sell quickly when offered “as-is.”
Who buys hoarder houses? We at Hoarded buy houses for cash!
Companies that buy houses for cash often specialize in hoarder homes.
How much is my hoarder house worth?
Many factors affect your home’s value. Learn more below.
Can I sell my condemned hoarder house?
Yes. But the buyer will need to know why it was condemned.
Will rats, mold, or biohazards prevent me from selling?
No, but you should disclose known hazards to potential buyers.
Can I sell my hoarder house if someone died inside?
You can sell a house after someone dies, but probate can complicate things.
What if I inherited the hoarder house from someone?
An inherited hoarder house will often sell without being cleaned.
Can I sell my house if I still owe a mortgage?
Having a mortgage on your home doesn’t automatically stop you from selling it.
Can I sell my house in probate?
Probate doesn’t automatically prevent a home from being sold.
How quickly can I sell my hoarder house?
Typically fast. Cash sales close quickly, but other issues can arise.
Will I need to throw everything away?
Selling a house with everything in it is known as selling it “as-is.”
What happens to all the personal property left in the home?
Personal property not deemed trash typically belongs to the seller.
Can I walk away during the inspection?
Once your house is under contract, walking away can cause problems for you.
How do buyers determine how much they’ll offer for my house?
Your home’s value, repair costs, and other factors affect the cash offer.