Sell Your House That’s Full Of Junk

Owning a house often leads to junk accumulating over time. With closets, extra rooms, basements, and sheds at your disposal, it’s easy to gather and store more items. However, this clutter can hinder your home’s appeal to potential buyers. Buyers need to envision themselves in your space, and cluttered walls and floors can obstruct this vision.

This is a common issue in real estate; many people find themselves dealing with junk. Despite this, the appearance of your home is crucial for attracting buyers. The good news is that there are several strategies to make a cluttered house more appealing to prospective buyers. So, how do you actually sell your house that’s full of junk?

Steps you can take if the seller leaves their junk behind

If you encounter problems with the previous owners not removing their belongings or refusing to cover the cost of removal, you might need to consider legal action. Consult with your attorney for advice on state and local regulations related to this issue. You may be able to pursue reimbursement for the junk removal costs through small claims court, citing a breach of contract.

Unfortunately, if the previous homeowners left behind items that are mostly worthless, irreparably damaged, or broken, you may not find much worth keeping or donating. In this case, your best option is to hire a junk removal company that specializes in disposing of trash, furniture, and other unwanted clutter. Removing these items will help you clear space in your new home, allowing you to start unpacking and settling in.

Add a clause to your contract

The best approach to avoid this issue is to address it upfront, so it’s important to plan for this scenario when negotiating with the seller. Even if you’re not overly concerned about the seller leaving the home in poor condition, it’s wise to be thorough.

Work with your seller to ensure that your contract includes a clause requiring the seller to remove all personal belongings by a specified date. Additionally, the contract should specify that any items left behind will become your property. You can also stipulate that a certain amount be deducted from the sale price to cover the cost of removing any leftover items.

In some cases, buyers prefer the seller to vacate the home before closing, while others may agree to a move-out date a few days or a week after closing. The key is to have a clear, written agreement with the seller that sets a specific deadline for clearing their belongings from the property.

Conduct a final walk-through before closing

As a buyer, you can also choose to include a pre-closing inspection as a contingency in your contract. These inspections typically occur 24 to 48 hours before closing. By walking through the home with your real estate agent before finalizing the purchase, you can ensure that the seller has fulfilled their obligations.

If your contract specifies that the seller must remove their belongings from the property, you may be able to postpone the closing date if they haven’t complied. Since the seller is likely eager to close the deal as well, delaying the closing could serve as a strong incentive for them to clear out the property.

Reach out to the seller

While it’s ideal to prevent this issue through contingencies, once you’ve closed on the home, you can’t alter the contract. If you’re now dealing with a house full of the seller’s belongings that you didn’t anticipate, you have a few options.

As the new owner, the items are yours to handle as you see fit. You’re not obligated to contact the seller if you prefer to simply discard the items. However, some buyers choose to resolve the situation amicably with the seller. If you have their contact information, you might reach out and inform them that their items remain in the house. The seller may agree to retrieve them if asked directly.

Be cautious of vague promises from the seller. They might say they will come by next week to collect the items but fail to show up. You don’t want their belongings to continue cluttering your space while waiting for them to follow through.

Give away useful items

It’s entirely reasonable to prefer having someone else handle the removal of the previous owner’s belongings. However, if you’re inclined to make the most of the situation, consider keeping or donating any useful items. Local charity shops might accept clothing, furniture, or kitchenware, and shelters or community organizations could potentially benefit from the items left behind.

Unfortunately, homeowners often leave behind items that are of little value. If your new home is filled with trash or irreparably damaged items, you might not find much that is worth donating.

Engage a junk removal service

Junk removal services specialize in clearing out trash, furniture, and unwanted clutter. While you might manage the disposal yourself or rely on curbside trash pickup, a junk removal company is often the best choice for handling large quantities of debris.

Promptly removing the junk allows you to free up space in your new home, making it easier to start unpacking and settling in. Moving is already a tiring process, so minimizing the time spent dealing with the previous occupants’ mess is ideal.

Dealing with a home filled with items from former owners can be very frustrating. To avoid this issue, include appropriate contingencies in your contract. If you face this problem after closing, you’ll need to decide whether to keep, donate, or discard the items.

Summary

Given the current high demand for houses, you’re likely in a better position than you might assume, as long as the house isn’t in imminent danger of demolition. While sellers shouldn’t expect to command a premium price for a mediocre property, motivated buyers might be willing to undertake projects if other aspects, such as location, are favorable.

If you’re looking to sell your property as-is, reach out to Illinois Real Estate Buyers for a no obligation cash offer on your property today.