All of us have the tendency to get messy or let things pile up around the house, but a hoarder house is a whole different story. If you’ve inherited a hoarder house or are trying to sell your hoarder house, you’re probably pretty overwhelmed. Cleaning up the mess is just one thing to deal with, and that’s before you can even consider putting it on the market. So, if you’re wondering, “How can I sell my house when it’s been occupied by a hoarder?” this guide is here to ease some of your burden. It can be done!
What is a Hoarder House?
First, we need to understand what a hoarder house is and, in turn, what hoarding is. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “People with hoarding disorder excessively save items that others may view as worthless. They have persistent difficulty getting rid of or parting with possessions, leading to clutter that disrupts their ability to use their living or working spaces.” So, a hoarder house is the house in which a hoarder lives and collects all of their items.
Hoarder houses can present imminent danger to the residents inside, as these homes are typically major fire or fall hazards. If you have a family member who is a hoarder, you may have attempted to help them clean the home (maybe even more than once) but to no avail. Those who inherit hoarder houses have to deal with a double burden: not only are they grieving a loved one, but they are also forced to figure out how to clean and sell the home.
How Can I Sell a Hoarder House?
It’s no secret that selling a hoarder house is no easy task, but it can certainly be done. Before you set out to sell your home, though, you should determine whether it’s possible or worth it to try to sell the home in the first place. Typically, this step begins with cleaning, either by yourself or with the help of professionals. You’ll then want to bring in an inspector to determine the extent of any structural damage or other repairs that will need to be made before the house can be sold.
Once the home is finally cleaned and repaired, it’s time to think about the real estate market. Frankly, many “typical” homebuyers will not be interested in hoarder homes, since they tend to be major fixer-uppers. If you are able to find a buyer, you might be presented with quite a low offer. Alternatively, you may be forced to wait weeks or even months to get an offer in the first place.
You’re probably wondering, “Is there any way to sell my home without all this stress?” Luckily, the answer is yes! Accepting a cash offer is a great way to sell your house without having to worry about major repairs or waiting for an offer to come in. If you’re trying to sell a hoarder house, contact OfferHut today to see how we can help.