What Is a Hoarder House and Why Are They Hard to Sell?
Introduction
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve encountered a property that’s become more of a burden than a blessing — a hoarder house. Whether you inherited it, are trying to sell a property for a family member, or simply stumbled across this situation, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed. Hoarder houses are not just challenging to sell; they can feel impossible to move forward with. You may have heard stories of how these houses are stigmatized or thought of as unsellable, and you’re probably wondering how to make this property saleable and, more importantly, profitable.
The key questions on your mind are probably along the lines of:
- What exactly is a hoarder house?
- Why are they so difficult to sell?
- What can I do to sell it quickly and at a reasonable price?
- Should I even bother trying to sell it traditionally?
This blog aims to provide answers to these questions, offering clarity on what you’re facing and how to handle a hoarder house situation effectively. By the end of this post, you’ll understand what it takes to sell a hoarder house, why it’s not as straightforward as other property sales, and whether selling to a cash buyer might be the best option for you.
What Is a Hoarder House? Understanding the Challenge
A hoarder house is one that has been filled to the brim with excessive amounts of personal belongings, trash, or even animals. While most homes are filled with a few boxes, extra furniture, or memorabilia, hoarder houses often have layers of clutter that can make it difficult to even walk through the space. These homes are typically the result of hoarding disorder, which is recognized by mental health professionals as a condition where individuals excessively accumulate items, usually due to emotional attachment, fear of wasting things, or a perceived need to keep everything.
The challenge with selling a hoarder house is immediately obvious: excessive clutter, safety hazards, and health risks. Buyers are often deterred by the overwhelming appearance of the house and the effort it takes to clean, repair, or even just inspect it. Hoarder houses may have damage that’s hidden beneath layers of debris, which can make buyers wary of the potential costs involved in bringing the home up to code.
Key value for the reader: If you’re dealing with a hoarder house, it’s important to recognize that it will take more time, effort, and money to get the house into a state where it can be sold. If you’re unfamiliar with the process, this post will break down the major challenges and give you the insight needed to make an informed decision about how to move forward.
Why Are Hoarder Houses Hard to Sell? The Key Factors
Hoarder houses are not like typical real estate listings. When you’re trying to sell a home with excessive clutter, there are several critical challenges that you’ll have to contend with. Understanding these issues can help you better prepare and adjust expectations as you move forward.
1. The Emotional and Physical Toll of Clearing a Hoarder House
Hoarder houses are often filled with years of accumulated belongings — from old furniture to expired food, from newspapers to discarded items. Cleaning up a hoarder house can take a significant amount of time and physical labor. Depending on how severe the hoarding situation is, it could take anywhere from several days to weeks to clear out the property. This can be an emotionally draining experience for sellers, especially if the house holds sentimental value.
For example, it can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000 to hire a professional cleanup crew depending on the house’s size and the level of hoarding. Many people are simply not prepared for the time, expense, and effort involved in dealing with this type of cleanup.
2. Safety and Health Hazards
In extreme cases, hoarder houses can pose significant health and safety risks. Mold, mildew, rodent infestations, and even structural damage due to the accumulation of debris are common issues in hoarder houses. A property inspector may flag safety concerns, which can drastically reduce the property’s value. For example, mold remediation could cost anywhere from $500 to $6,000 depending on the extent of the problem.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold in hoarder houses can cause serious health issues like asthma, respiratory infections, and allergies.
3. Stigmatization and Psychological Factors
When it comes to selling a hoarder house, the emotional stigma surrounding hoarding often prevents buyers from even considering the property. Many buyers associate hoarding with psychological issues, and some may not be willing to take on the responsibility of cleaning up a hoarder house. This results in fewer interested buyers and can prolong the time the house sits on the market.
How to Sell a Hoarder House: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Decide If You Want to Clean the Property
The first decision you’ll need to make is whether to clean the house before listing it. While cleaning up a hoarder house can increase its saleability, it’s important to weigh the costs and emotional toll of doing so. For many sellers, the cleanup is too much to handle on their own, which is where professional services come in.
You could also consider working with a cleanup crew if you are willing to invest the time and money. For most hoarder houses, cleaning will cost anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000, depending on the size of the house and the extent of the clutter.
Alternatively, you may choose to sell the property as-is, which is where selling for cash becomes a valuable option. If you’re ready to sell quickly without investing time or money in the cleanup process, selling to a cash buyer could be a more viable solution.
Step 2: Price the Property Appropriately
Pricing a hoarder house requires special attention. Because of the state of the property, you will likely need to sell it at a reduced price. Typical buyers will expect a significant discount on a house that requires extensive repairs, and they may offer you less than market value to cover the costs of repairs, cleaning, and potential legal issues.
Step 3: Consider the Benefits of Selling to a Cash Buyer
When it comes to selling a hoarder house, cash buyers offer a unique advantage: they can purchase your home as-is, without requiring repairs or clean-up. This can save you significant time and money, and often results in a faster closing process. If you’re looking for a fast, hassle-free sale, a cash offer could be your best option.
In fact, selling to a real estate investor might save you between $5,000 and $20,000 in repair costs, especially when you factor in the potential expenses of cleaning and restoring the property.
If you want to learn more about the process and benefits of selling a hoarder house, check out our page on How to Sell a Hoarder House.
The Cost of Selling a Hoarder House: What You Need to Know
Selling a hoarder house can be costly. Whether you are cleaning the house yourself or hiring professionals, there are hidden costs that can quickly add up. In addition to the initial cleaning and repairs, you may also face:
- Property inspections: If there are safety or health hazards, inspections could cost $300 to $500 or more.
- Staging costs: If you choose to stage the house, this could cost anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000 depending on the property size and the extent of the staging.
However, it’s important to remember that while these costs can add up quickly, they may still fall short of the overall value you’ll get from selling through traditional means. With the right cash buyer, you can avoid most of these fees and still walk away with cash in hand.
Why Selling to a Cash Buyer Is the Best Option for a Hoarder House
The bottom line is that selling a hoarder house traditionally can take months or even years. Between the cleaning, repairs, inspections, and constant showing of the house to potential buyers, it’s a long and drawn-out process. This is where selling to a real estate investor can save you time, money, and stress.
Advantages of Selling to a Cash Buyer:
- Quick Sale: The transaction can be completed in as little as 7 to 10 days.
- No Repairs Necessary: Cash buyers purchase homes as-is, saving you thousands in repair and staging costs.
- Less Stress: There’s no need to manage multiple showings or deal with real estate agents.
- Certainty: Cash offers are typically firm, which means no back-and-forth negotiations.
For sellers facing a hoarder house, the convenience, speed, and certainty of cash offers make them the most attractive option.
Conclusion: Should You Sell a Hoarder House Traditionally?
Selling a hoarder house through traditional means can be a lengthy and stressful process. The time, money, and emotional effort required to clean and repair the property may feel overwhelming, and even after all that work, you still may not be able to find a buyer willing to offer a fair price. Between costly repairs, inspections, and the emotional strain of dealing with a cluttered property, it’s easy to get discouraged.
However, if you’re looking for a quicker, more straightforward solution, selling your hoarder house to Sold First could be the best option. We specialize in purchasing homes as-is, no matter the condition, and we make the process fast and hassle-free. Our team can provide you with a fair cash offer and close the sale in as little as 7 to 10 days. This means you can avoid the stress, cost, and uncertainty of traditional home sales.
If you’re ready to sell your hoarder house without all the complications, contact us today. We’re here to help you get a fair offer, fast, and move on with peace of mind.