Selling a Hoarder's House

[Anonymous]

My mom is a hoarder and with my dad passing away, we have to sell their house. The house is floor to ceiling stuff, and there are significant leaks and mold in the house (no one knows how bad it is until we clear out some of the stuff). Most of the bathrooms are not usable and nothing has been remodeled in 2 decades. Any suggestions on how to go about selling a house in this type of condition? Do we just call it a day and go directly to builders to sell it for land value (it is in a close in location and about 1 mile to Metro).

[Anonymous]

I'd call a real estate agent and have the recommend what to do. They probably have good relations with junk haulers as well.

[Anonymous]

Honestly it sounds like a tear down but ask some realtors how to approach it - or if you know builders who work in the neighborhood, approach them and skip the commission.

[Anonymous]

One day at a time, OP. I was faced with a similar situation a few years back and while it is initially overwhelming, it will work out.

First, do you have any siblings that can help?
Second, clear everything out. Bring in a construction dumpster to get rid of everything you need to. Keep anything you want that is worth keeping. Give away anything you think is usable by others but that you don’t want. Have a yard sale if you think it is worth it. There are companies that will come and pick up things you want to donate.

Once all is out, if there is mold, have a mold remediation company come in and take care of it. This may mean taking down some (or all) drywall. It can be replaced. Bathroom remodeling can be pricey, but it can also be manageable if you just want to update. Find either a contractor or handy-man who can do the work.

It will take some money to do the work, so if funds are an issue, perhaps sell the home “as is” and let someone else pay for the work?

[Anonymous]

How old is the house and how much would it be worth if it had been kept up? What city?

[Anonymous]

Is your mom going to let you empty or sell the house?

[Anonymous]

I'm sure you're in for many unpleasant structural surpises as you clear it out. Is your Mom prepared for whatever outcome happens?

[Anonymous]

If the cost of demolishing is more than the land value , you could just abandon it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure you're in for many unpleasant structural surpises as you clear it out. Is your Mom prepared for whatever outcome happens?

Not necessarily. If the house has good “bones” there may be nothing structurally wrong.
And, if maintenance has been done, there may be fewer issues than you think.
Not updating or renovating doesn’t mean that her dad didn’t maintain the place.....

[Anonymous]

OP already said it is in a close in location, 1 mile to metro so we know there is value to the land. No need to abandon anything OP, worst case scenario sell to a builder and have them take responsibility for cleaning it out.

[Anonymous]

I have been through a hoarding clean-up. I am very sorry you are in this position.

Three practical people you need:

1) A good realtor for the area who can help you assess your situation. A mile from the metro it sounds like tear down potential.

2) A hoarding clean up company: Google and you will find some. They know how to deal with the nasty aspects of a hoarding clean up in a professional way and how to communicate with those who suffer from hoarding. Being able to empty the house will help with the sale--plus there might be some family items or legal papers you might be glad to find.

3) A therapist: Ideally for your mom but deifinitely one for you. Hoarding in a parent plays with the mental health of adult children--and you have lost your dad too. In order to help my relative, we needed a professional. I saw Dr. Elspeth Bell who now practices in Howard County, and she was great.

Some counties in the DC suburbs have Hoarding Task Forces and it would certainly help to contact one of there is one. That can help. Your local health department could also be useful in condemning the property if it is unlivable and your mom refuses to leave.

Best wishes to you. Hoarding is a terrible illness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP already said it is in a close in location, 1 mile to metro so we know there is value to the land. No need to abandon anything OP, worst case scenario sell to a builder and have them take responsibility for cleaning it out.

OP, where in Arlington? Or we talking Greenbelt?

Either way, a builder will see some value and get you a cash offer with no contingencies.
Well, maybe removing some of the clutter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure you're in for many unpleasant structural surpises as you clear it out. Is your Mom prepared for whatever outcome happens?

Not necessarily. If the house has good “bones” there may be nothing structurally wrong.
And, if maintenance has been done, there may be fewer issues than you think.
Not updating or renovating doesn’t mean that her dad didn’t maintain the place.....

It is very difficult to maintain homes with hoarding. Hoarders often don't want to let people in, or you just can't get to where the work needs done because of the stuff.

Hoarding itself causes structural issues--vermin, mold, the weight of the stuff...

It isn't pretty.

[Anonymous]

How is your mom letting you clear out her stuff? We dealt with this exact same situation and really, the selling of the house, as is, was the easy part. It was snapped up for a decent price. The hard part is getting Mom and the stuff out and separating them. My sympathies, OP.

[Anonymous]

How DO you deal with the hoarder? I'm going to have to deal with this situation sometime too. For now, I kinda hope the person just passes quietly at home, and then I will just have to deal with the mess.

I've tried to clean out the house a few times in the past, with much angst, and no long-term positive effect.