Remove All of the Items:

You need to remove all of the items that have been hoarded over the years, but be cautious as a house that is full of personal items can have numerous hidden risks you need to watch out for. Most homes occupied by hoarders have rat, mouse, flea, and roach infestations. The feces, urine, and dead animals from these infestations become a biohazard that requires extra care and expertise to clean out. The risk of contracting a disease or illness means this is definitely not a DIY project, but you still need to supervise the removal of the items since not everything buried in the house will be trash. There could be keepsakes, pictures, and heirlooms that you or the family would like to keep.

Clean and Exterminate:

Now that the home is empty, you will need to bring in a cleaning crew to professionally clean and disinfect the home to ensure any remaining potential biohazards have been removed. This is crucial for the protection of the workers who will be performing the repairs or upgrades to the home. You will also need to have the home treated for any insect and rodent infestation. This usually requires an initial treatment and then several follow-up treatments to permanently eradicate the infestation.

Repair Damage and Upgrade:

Cleaning up is a major part of prepping the house for sale, but it’s also just the beginning. A person with hoarding disorder will typically not perform general upkeep, and you will most likely be dealing with a house that has been neglected for many years. A hoarder’s home can also suffer from an array of damages from leftover food, mold, and many times, pet damage. Walls, floors, and structural problems are common, and many times, the plumbing system is clogged or needs to be replaced altogether.

In addition to the damage, another problem is the vast clutter in the home that could prevent anyone from entering to conduct repairs or upgrades. Many of the systems, fixtures, finishes, and appliances may be outdated. The owner may not have painted the home in years. You will likely have to perform a significant number of upgrades to modernize the house and make it marketable. Many of these problems can be impossible to identify by doing a simple visual examination, so it is advisable to get a professional home inspection.

With the inspection in hand, you can then engage the professionals needed to repair and upgrade the home but be aware that this will most likely be a very costly and time-consuming endeavor that is not for the faint of heart. Our best advice, take a step back and consider the risks and benefits before you jump in.