You’ll be relieved to know that if you have inherited a cluttered house or turned yours into one, it is still sellable. Some practical ways to sell Hoarder House in Salt Lake City include a full cleanout before you list it or selling it as-is to a cash buyer or investor. You can also try listing it as-is on the open market to attract competitor buyers or look out for an estate sale or auction if the house was inherited. The right option depends less on the house and more on how much time, money, and energy you have to give it right now.
You could be looking at stacks of boxes in your parent’s living room you recently inherited or it could be your own home. However, you lack the time to deal with the stuff and decide to sell your home. Now you may wonder what you’re legally required to do? Is there a way to do this without spending months and more. Good for you, this guide may help you find your best options.
Is My House Actually a “Hoarder House”, or just Messy?
Is the clutter making it hard for you to use your home such as blocking hallways, doors, the bathroom, or the kitchen, then you are in a hoarder house. However, if it is just one packed closet or a cluttered garage, it’s just messy and you can clear it up on a weekend.
Usually realtors and cleanout crews consider a house to be a hoarder house when the accumulation starts interfering with daily living and not just aesthetics. Let’s say a relative kept every newspaper, every piece of mail, and useless things because “just in case” they may need it. Years of accumulation now carry dust, mites, and space across your home. Your bedroom window doesn’t open and tables have disappeared because of this stuff. Now, the rooms are filled with useless stuff you are too busy to sort and you don’t get to clean the space or let air in. That’s something a home inspector will notice and end up flagging it as an issue.
Who could be facing a hoarder house situation?
- You are an adult but a college going one who inherited a parent’s or grandparent’s home that’s cluttered.
- People juggling work, kids, or caregivers who haven’t had the time or energy to stay on top of the house.
- Someone who is managing a health issue with no one by their side.
- Family members who are handling an aging relative’s move into assisted living.
- Landlords or property managers whose rental property was left in poor condition by a tenant.
Many situations where priorities shift to other areas of life may lead to neglect of the home. Also, people in these situations may be in a hurry to sell, especially if it was inherited because no one wants to burden themselves with property taxes and maintenance that follows. This is a reality for many families in Salt Lake City where the population is getting older. According to the U.S Census Bureau, about 12.5% of county residents are age 65 or older. This means more families may find themselves helping aging parents downsize or settle an estate which includes years of belongings.
What am I legally required to disclose in Utah?
You should disclose any material defects hidden beneath the clutter, such as mold, structural damage, pest infestations, or other hazards a buyer wouldn’t be able to discover when they come for inspection. This is because a cleanout crew or inspector may end up discovering such issues. Thus, documenting and disclosing them is an ethical practice.
Also, if the exterior of your house has excessive trash and debris, it may trigger code enforcement in Salt Lake City and nearby communities. This may also lead to cleanup notices, fines, or other enforcement actions. You may want to address this issue before listing to prevent delays and make the sale process smoother.
Best Options to sell a hoarder house in Utah, SLC
There are five realistic paths which include a full cleanout before you list it, listing the house as-is on the open market for investors, selling directly to a cash home buyer, selling for sale by owner (FSBO), or going through an estate sale or auction if the house was inherited. Let’s discuss these options in detail:
Clean it out fully and list with an agent:
This is a good option to get the best price for your home because the house shows well and buyers aren’t discounting for the unknown. However, you’ll have to take the headache of cleaning out the whole place, which may not be a possibility for everyone.
List it as-is through an agent and skip the cleanout
If you cannot take up the cleanout project, find an agent who is ready to list your property the way it is. Try to convince him to market it to investors or flippers who are used to bidding on properties like this. However, the real catch is time. The sale may take longer than you expect it to go.
Sell your hoarder home for cash
In case you do not have the time to clean, repair, or stage it, this option may ease your situation. This way you can get a cash offer and review it. If you like the offer you can close the deal in 10-14 days. Prices may be low or average depending on the state of the house. However, if your priority is to simply proceed with the sale, this option may suit you.
Sell it yourself, without an agent
If you are choosing FSBO, this would mean you are skipping commissions. But you’ll take the lead with pricing, marketing, and negotiating. On top of that, you’ll be required to handle any cleanout. This may work if you’ve done this before or already have a buyer in mind.
Sell through an estate sale or auction
This option may help those dealing with inherited properties that went through probate. Sometimes, it may work up to your expectations. While auctions may help with a quick sale, prices may not match what you had in mind.
A Quick Comparison of all your options
| Sell As-Is to a Cash Buyer | Clean Out and List Traditionally | |
| Cleanout required | No | Yes, before listing |
| Repairs required | No | Usually, once walls and floors are visible |
| Typical timeline | 1 to 3 weeks to close | Weeks to months for cleanout, then a normal listing period |
| Sale price | Below retail market value | Closer to market value once presentable |
| Cash needed upfront | None | Dumpster rental, junk removal, possible repairs |
| Best fit | Sellers who need speed or can’t front renovation costs | Sellers with time and some budget, and a house in reasonable structural shape |
How much does a cleanup cost?
The cost of cleanup may vary a lot depending on the situation of the house. But here’s a rough range of what people in Salt Lake City usually pay to clean up their hoarder homes.
Junk Removal: It can cost from $100 – $800. This may depend on how much there is and how many people it takes.
Dumpster Rental: It may cost up to $300 – $600. This is for a week-long rental, depending on the size.
Biohazard cleanup, if needed: This can go up to $700 – $750 an hour.
Mold remediation: $1500 to $6000, depending on how widespread it is.
Pest control or extermination: $300 to $1500 for a full house treatment.
Sewage or plumbing backup repair: May cost you $9000 – $15000
Waste removal involving contamination: Costs up to $25 – $30 an hour.
Home inspection: $300 – $500 for a standard single family home.
These numbers are estimates and they may change with the size of the house. You should get a quote from the cleanup crew to know the real costs.
Useful tips that may come in handy
You can use Salt Lake City’s free Call 2 Haul service. This can help you remove bulky items before hiring a cleanout crew. You may also consider donating usable furniture, electronics, and household goods to reduce disposal costs. Sometimes, resale value of certain vintage items in your home may surprise you. Also, If you are still confused about your situation, take a look at our guide on “What Should I Consider Before Selling My House?”
Does the process change when you’ve inherited a hoarder house?
No, the options to sell a cluttered inherited house in SLC remains the same. However, you are also dealing with probate. Also, let’s not forget the grief of personal loss. If you feel too attached with the house and cannot process how to begin with the selling process, maybe sort stuff that you’d like to keep to yourself. Decide if the rest of the house needs a cleanup or it needs to be sold fast before it brings financial strain to you and your family members. Try exploring fast options like cash buyers or auction whatever you feel would work for you.
Quick Summary
Selling a hoarder house in Salt Lake City is possible through options like cleaning it out, listing it as-is, selling it to a cash home buyer, or exploring an estate sale or auction. The best option depends on how fast you want to sell or how much work you’re willing to take on. You should understand Utah’s disclosure rules before selling to maintain transparency for the buyer and learn about costs to avoid surprises at the end moment.
You can compare prices and best options with Prudent Home Buyers before deciding which route best works for you.
FAQ’s
Q1. Can I sell a hoarder home without cleaning it first?
Yes. You can sell it as-is. However, buyers may offer less to account for the cleanup and repairs.
Q2. Do I need to repair a hoarder house before selling?
No. You don’t need to make repairs unless you agreed to do so during the deal with the buyer. However, you should reveal the defects.
Q3. Will a hoarder house sell for less than market value?
Usually it does. If there is a need for cleanup that may cost a lot, it will go for a low value.
Q4. How long does it take to sell a hoarder house?
Timeline can depend on the type of option you are opting to sell your house in this case. Cash sales may close in just 2 weeks, while other options may take longer.
Q5. Can I sell an inherited hoarder house before cleaning it out?
Yes. But you do need to complete any probate steps.
Q6. Should I hire a professional cleanout company before listing?
If the clutter gets severe, professional help can improve the clutter and may help you attract better buyers.
