What has been the best approach - hire a company to go through and box up what can be sold or donated (somewhat like EBTH.com) , then hire a realtor to sell the property, OR sell the entire place "as is" and let new owner deal with clearing out everything not claimed by family or friends? I realize having the loved one present when any such activity occurs would be a huge mistake so that won't happen.
We chose to deal with the leftovers ourselves. I then washed and cleaned what I donated (please don't donate dirty dusty items to charity) and hired a clean out company who hauled the remaining stuff away. It was a truck and a half of "stuff".
As we age, please consider family members who are left behind. In 2 years, I had to "clean out" 50 years worth of my parents AND my in-laws houses accumulation alone. It was mentally and physically exhausting as I am a VERY sentimental person. All those items brought back memories and there were many days I would drive home after working in their houses all day and sit in my driveway and cry -- for the loss of my parents and in-laws and the fact that we (as a society) accumulate so much "stuff" that our family members do not WANT. What we think is valuable is NOT to our children. Trust me. Do your family a favor, and donate your items NOW before leaving it for family members to deal with. After 40 years of marriage, I pretty much have had that conversation with my 3 children. I know what they want of our "stuff" and it's not much. In fact, hardly anything. I am in my early 60's and my goal is to clean out as much as possible while I'm able to do it. Don't wait hoping your family wants your "stuff". Do it NOW.
Selling a property "As Is" does NOT mean you leave everything in the house for someone else to deal with. "As Is" simply means that any inspections are for informational purposes only and the Seller(s) will not be making any repairs, etc.
You will also need proof that you're legally able to sell the house.
I'm a licensed Realtor in MD.
I hope this information is helpful to you. Good luck!
I've also been told repeatedly by the wannabes as well as one realtor who represents investors that "no cleanup" or removal of items is necessary.
I doubt though that these are licensed realtors.
You can PM me with the name, to avoid any inference of advertising.
Thanks.
1 - Box up everything that is personal, religious, alcohol-themed, has semi-clothed figures, or profanity.
2 - Box up everything until you have achieved a hotel room level of decoration.
3 - Store all this is a garage or storage unit.
4 - Empty out the pantry, freezer, and refrigerator.
5 - Get a professional cleaner in to do a thorough cleaning, including carpet.
6 - Cut the grass and mulch flower beds.
7 - Get a professional photographer (realtor usually has a good one) to take great pictures of the home.
8 - Once property posts, most homes are sold in less than 1 month.
9 - You can sell contents of home to one of those second hand buyers once the property sells. Sometimes home buyers want to but the furnishings.
So my sister and I took what we wanted, then grandkids, then other close family members and friends. We shredded tons of paper(think tax records dating to the 50s) Go through all purses, and all paper. Keep records dealing with the house like insurance claims and maintenance or loans..
We found more than $3000, in travelers checks and cash tucked away. Part in a dresser( they lived on Gulf coast, was their run from the hurricane money, part among old vacation memorabilia. Over $200 in coins. We boxed up hundred of photos dating to the early 1900, some were my grandparents (young grandad grinning on a motorcycle!) My son took her piano and now my grandchild is learning piano on the same piano I did.
Once family had everything we wanted, and personal papers either shredded or kept and trash had been discarded, we contracted with a local person to do an estate sale. They washed, displayed and priced everything and ran the sale for 3 days. They take a percentage of the profits, what % varies with company. Ours, once complete, let us look over things one more time, and then said they would donate or discard what we didn't want that didn't sell.
Once all that was done, I hired a cleaning service to do a deep clean on everything, and we put it on the market.
The check for the sale will be placed in her retirement accounts along with proceeds from the sale to be used for her care.
I would caution you just not to sell without going through things. Some of my college paperwork was still there,, which had my social security number all over it, and of course all my parents tax records. Which could be an issue with identity theft.
The house was a nightmare! Deferred maintenance, sewer problems.
They said anything we didn't want or couldn't move to just leave. They work with charities that come pick up unwanted furniture, kitchen items etc.
We went through everything and removed ALL paperwork, photos.
It was a huge relief to unload it. I got more than I expected given the really bad shape it was in. She and my father were chain smokers. 60 years of nicotine crap covered every surface in a smelly, grimey yellow sludge. I'm a non smoker can you tell?
Of course if the house is in good shape you're better off clearing it out and selling yourself.
Mom didn't have any money to hire help, so I had to do it myself. Even if mom would have had money to hire folks for the heavy lifting, I would have had to have gone through everything first, because she had stuff hidden. I didn't have a clue what all was in that house.
I know my mom couldn't have predicted in her wildest dreams that she would be diagnosed with dementia in her 60's, especially when her mom was still alive and living alone and sharp as a tack! So mom had not downsized or organized or planned. I hope to have my things in better order so that my daughter is not saddled with the stress of everything I went through with my mom.
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