If you find yourself in possession of a home that someone hoarded in, we know that it can be a difficult asset to manage. It can be challenging to hold on to, but selling the property can also be daunting.
The good news is that homeowners whose properties have suffered the consequences of hoarding, especially when selling them, have options. Keep reading to discover the potential side effects of hoarding in your home and solutions for selling.
What Is Hoarding?
Hoarding is a complex psychological disorder that requires a great deal of sensitivity and compassion. It tends to be rooted in deep emotional issues and unresolved trauma.
It presents itself in the obsessive accumulation of possessions and the inability to let go of items. People who suffer from the disorder are often unable to see the consequences of their behaviors, and in turn, the conditions of their living spaces tend to grow out of control.
How Does Hoarding Affect a Home?
Beyond the extreme disorganization, the consequences of hoarding can cause many issues in a home—from simple cosmetic issues to structural and foundational problems.
Structural Issues
In homes that have seen hoarding, the sheer amount of items in the house can take their toll, especially when these items have accumulated over many years. The uneven weight of the items can weaken and damage floors and joists that support the space, making the space unsafe for those who walk through it.
Mold
With the number of possessions and accumulated waste in hoarded spaces, there tends to be little proper ventilation and a great deal of moisture. When these two conditions are combined, there tends to be rampant issues with mold in the home.
This can be an extreme health hazard and a concern for the integrity of the space. Issues such as mold can aid in the rotting of wooden floors and beams, contributing to structural concerns in the property.
Pests
Since little space is unfilled in a home with hoarding, no one can see much of the property due to blockages. This means these properties are prime real estate for insects and rodents.
With lots to feed on and nest in, rats, roaches, ants, and other pests can establish homes in difficult-to-manage hoarding properties. These pests often carry diseases, leave droppings behind, and their dead can begin to rot in the home.
These animals can also cause issues with the fittings of the home. They have been associated with damage to cabinetry, staining of furniture, carpets, curtains, and other cosmetic facets of the home. While these issues are more easily remedied, they can be an unwelcome addition to the problems faced when dealing with a hoarder’s home.
Lingering Odors
Homes of those who smoke are notorious for maintaining the smell of cigarettes, and homes with hoarding are no different. The smells in the home of someone with a hoarding disorder can be unbearable, with large amounts of waste, pests, and a lack of proper airflow. This smell can remain in the home if not handled properly.
Plumbing
Some hoarding situations can result in severe damage and blockages to the plumbing fixtures in the home. When objects block drains or clog toilets and sinks, damage to plumbing can become widespread throughout the home.
So, How Do I Sell My Home That’s Suffered Hoarding?
Selling a home can be difficult, but selling a home that has experienced the effects of hoarding can be even more challenging. When it comes time to sell, you have two options:
1. Clearing and Repairing
Choosing to clear and repair the home before the sale is the most expensive option you have. The issues discussed above can all add up to be extremely expensive, in addition to the cost of clearing all of the items out of the home. This is also a task you likely won’t be able to complete alone. You will likely need to hire professional cleaners, pest control, inspectors, contractors, and laborers to assist in the renovation process.
The renovation process can be lengthy, expensive, and very stressful. If you intend to sell the home at the end of the work being done to the home, it can also feel like a wasted effort. The money you put into the work likely won’t set the home above others in the area, so you may not see a significant return on your investment of time, effort, and money.
2. Selling As-Is
Choosing to list your home as-is can also be difficult. It can be emotionally draining and stressful to find the right buyer. They must be willing to take on a difficult property, as houses that have suffered hoarding are likely in that category.
Though it may seem like no buyer will be interested in purchasing your home, there are many as-is home buyers in Baltimore who would submit a fair offer. Companies with experience in sensitive sales like these can make the process smoother. They can help ease the financial and emotional toll that either cleaning out or selling the home can take on owners.
Ultimately, choosing to sell a house as-is can relieve a great deal of stress during the selling process and save you time and money on cleaning and repairs.