Tips for Cleaning out Parents House
4 Tips to consider when cleaning out a parent’s property PRIOr to listing for sale
Years of gathering treasures can be overwhelming to sort through when the time comes to sell a property. When the challenging day comes where you are in the position of having to help empty out a parent’s home, it is normal to feel hesitant and unsure of how/where to start. This is an event that will stir a stew of emotions and test your physical and mental endurance.
I have helped clients work through this process while they are preparing a family member’s home for sale. It is almost always a bigger project than is anticipated. Those who are open to accepting some help will save themselves some inevitable stress. Here are 4 tips to consider when tackling the project:
Mark The ‘Keep’ Items - Purchase a pack of little dot stickers. Have anyone invested in the personal property take a few hours to walk through the home and place a sticker on anything that is to be kept. Mark items with sentimental value or significant monetary value that are to be saved.
Purchase a Bagster dumpster bag and set it up in an easily accessible area. Take a day or two to go room by room and remove anything that is broken/trash and has not been tagged with a ‘keep’ sticker. Make sure you place the bag in an area where the truck can easily access for pick up (not under trees/power lines or at the end of a narrow driveway).
Here is a link to where you can purchase your Bagster: BAGSTER DUMPSTER
Once the ‘Keep’ items are tagged and obvious trash has been removed, hire a company to come through and remove everything else! Companies such as Got Junk or College Hunks Hauling are both options to clear out the house. If you have decent furniture that could be donated, you can reach out to Habitat for Humanity or VA Pick up Please.
Now that the property is empty, hire a local cleaning service to perform a deep clean of the home. Too many think they can handle the cleaning themselves, but I’ve been there and personally think it’s totally worth bringing in a professional cleaning team. One company that has franchises across the country that you may want to consider is Merry Maids.
Every property will have different needs. Engaging with a Realtor early in the process is always a good idea so they can provide you with guidance and advise on what is necessary and what may not be necessary in order to appeal to the most buyers.
Emily Woods, REALTOR - Licensed in NJ & PA