You might have seen them on TV, know someone who lives in one, or perhaps have one on your street—hoarder houses.

What exactly is a hoarder house? If you’ve inherited responsibility for one, you might be wondering if it’s possible to sell a hoarder house.

To begin with, a hoarder house is a property that has been significantly impacted by someone with hoarding disorder, a mental health condition recognized by the American Psychiatric Association in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

Hoarding involves an overwhelming need to accumulate items and an inability to discard them. Individuals with this condition can experience extreme stress at the mere suggestion of parting with possessions, even if those items are considered trash by others.

This often results in extremely unsanitary and unsafe living conditions.

According to the Mayo Clinic, hoarding can lead to “cramped living conditions where homes are filled to capacity, with only narrow paths through piles of clutter… Hoarding can range from mild to severe, and people with the disorder may not see it as an issue, complicating treatment.”

Such individuals may live in these conditions for years, and when they pass away or move into assisted living, their family members are left to deal with the aftermath.

In addition to the emotional strain of losing a loved one, these new homeowners face the challenge of either cleaning up the property or selling it. With so much clutter, the prospect of selling a hoarder house can seem overwhelming, even impossible.

Understanding the Hoarder Phenomenon

Before selling your house, it’s important to understand the hoarding phenomenon. Hoarders are individuals with a severe compulsive need to collect items, even if they have no practical use for them. This behavior can lead to significant issues, including low self-esteem and a lack of control.

A hoarder house reflects a person’s inability to organize their life and belongings, resulting in their home being filled to overflowing with accumulated items. Imagine entire rooms, countertops, stoves, sinks, and stairways covered with years’ worth of possessions.

If a hoarder can’t fit everything into their home, they may start to expand into other areas of the property, such as the garage, storage sheds, and yard.

Individuals with hoarding issues often struggle to discard items that hold no real value. If you have a friend or family member who is a hoarder, it’s crucial to seek professional medical help for them. Many hoarders are unaware that their behavior is problematic, and they may view their cluttered home as normal. Those affected by this condition may not have the mental capacity to recognize their issue.

Should You Try to Sell a Hoarder House?

Managing a hoarder house can be daunting, particularly when deciding on the next steps. If you’ve inherited the property, selling it is a viable option. However, you’ll need to decide whether to sell it as-is or invest in improvements to achieve the highest possible sale price. Opting to enhance the home for a higher sale price will involve more work compared to a quicker and less stressful as-is sale.

Selling as-is can be the fastest and least stressful way to dispose of the property. This approach involves no repairs, cleaning, or upgrades before the sale.

On the other hand, if you’re prepared to invest time and effort, you can potentially maximize the sale price. Buyers typically expect homes to be move-in ready, and hoarder homes, often neglected for years, will require thorough cleaning and significant repairs before listing. Depending on the location and the property, this extra work might be worthwhile to achieve a top-dollar sale.

Decide if You Want Top Dollar or a Quick Sale

When selling a hoarder’s house, your first decision should be whether to prioritize getting the highest sale price or selling the property quickly. This choice will guide the next steps in the process.

Selling a hoarder house as-is differs significantly from preparing the property to achieve the maximum sale price.

If you want to sell the property as quickly as possible, your best option is to sell it as-is to a real estate investor or contractor. Investors often seek out such properties with the intention of purchasing them at a low price and reselling them for a profit.

These buyers purchase homes in any condition, accepting all the issues that come with them. Selling in this manner will reduce your workload but generally result in a lower sale price, often around fifty cents on the dollar.

If your goal is to get the most money from the sale, you will need to undertake an extensive cleanup to make the property turnkey. This means investing time and effort to prepare the home so it is move-in ready for potential buyers.

Selling a Hoarder’s Home As-Is

If you have limited time for a home renovation or prefer not to spend money on renovations, you can opt to sell a hoarder house as-is.

The ideal buyer for a hoarder’s home is a real estate investor. These buyers typically purchase properties for cash and handle transactions quickly, requiring minimal inspections or visits to the property.

Selling a hoarder house as-is to a real estate investor offers several advantages: fast closing, cash payments, and no real estate commission fees.

To ensure a smooth sale, it’s important to thoroughly vet the real estate investor before finalizing the deal. Check their online presence and reviews, meet with them in person, and request references to verify their credibility.

Renovating a Hoarder’s House

This approach is more time-consuming and expensive compared to selling a hoarder house as-is, but it has the potential to yield a higher sale price in the long run. The first step involves clearing out the house. For the safety of workers, ensure they are equipped with masks, gloves, and protective suits.

Sort the items into three categories: keep, trash, and donate. After clearing the house, have a professional assess the structural integrity to check for issues such as rot or damage to load-bearing beams, pipes, electrical wiring, and more.

Next, hire a professional cleaning crew to thoroughly clean the house. Some services specialize in deep-cleaning hoarder homes, which may require extra effort to achieve a clean and sanitized property.

Whether you choose to renovate the house yourself or hire a contractor, establish a clear budget and timeline to avoid losing money on your investment. If you can’t commit the necessary time or funds for renovations, selling the house as-is might be a more cost-effective solution in the long term.

Final Thoughts

Selling a hoarder house on the open market can be challenging and may not always attract buyers, as the property might not present well or appeal to potential buyers. However, assisting in clearing out and restoring a hoarder house is a valuable and commendable effort.

By entrusting your property to us, we can guide you in making the best decision for selling your distressed home. Illinois Real Estate Buyers is equipped to help you sell a hoarder house quickly and efficiently, without additional fees. If you’re ready to move forward with selling your hoarder house, reach out to us today to get your no obligation cash offer.