Hoarding and Home Sales

I recently listed a home that was owned by a lady that was a hoarder. Although not as horrific as we may have seen on TV or Youtube, this was a real problem for a realtor, charged with getting a property on the market as soon as possible.

Cleaning Day!

This is what twenty-five years of hoarding looks like!

Although not filled with garbage bags or dead animals, this home was jam packed to the ceiling with household items…times a thousand! Boxes of books, magazines, kitchen gadgets, tools, papers, lined every wall, leaving a narrow passage way to the kitchen, and bedroom. NOTHING was thrown away for years.

The kitchen after three days of work!

Sunshine finally! Books and boxes covered the windows…

I was instructed not to open the refrigerator because of the smell!

Much of the furniture, and kitchen appliances were sold, or donated. Nothing was of any great value, and 75% of the clutter went right into the trash.

We decided not to physically stage this house, for a couple of reasons..We cleaned and de-cluttered as much as possible, but the walls and floors were still in poor shape, and there were some lingering items that we did not have time to discard. Also, we could not ensure that the stager’s furniture would be safe in this still dingy space, and, anyway sometimes trying to pretend that an abused house is anything but what it is, is a waste of time. We sold the home As Is.

And here’s after, with digital staging…

Since there was still a few items that couldn’t be removed in time, my photographer removed them with editing software. She also added virtual furniture, and other elements. What a difference!

Although physical staging is preferable, there are times when, because of time, and budget, it’s simply not possible, but as you can see, staging is a vital part of the marketing!