vivlee
New Member
Joined: February 2018
Posts: 2 
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Post by vivlee on Feb 4, 2018 12:16:53 GMT -5
My name is VivLee.
Im not sure where to start with this, but I have lived in a mess since I moved out on my own. My husband and I ended up losing our home and moved into a tiny apartment (Which is now easy to keep straightened up).
My husband and I are in the process of buying a home as I write this. And what I see as karma for the way I left rent homes, this home has to be one of the worst cases I have ever seen (Which is saying something). I have not the slightest idea in where to start when we get the keys. I know this might be easier for me since this isn't MY stuff I have to go through and throw out, but it is such a giant mess that I just don't know what to do. If there is anyone out there that can help me, please, tell me where to start. I am so afraid that, with this house in such disarray, it might put me back into my major depressive state and cause us to live in this way again. And I want a new life for us!
Thank you for reading this. I look forward to getting to know you guys!
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Post by dtesposito on Feb 4, 2018 12:59:24 GMT -5
Hi Viv, do you mean you're buying a house that is full of stuff? Is this from a relative or someone you know? I've heard of people buying houses "as is" but I thought that usually meant the condition of the actual house, not one that is full of things.
It's definitely easier to get rid of things that you don't have an emotional investment in, but if you're someone who sees value in everything you might get caught up in trying to save everything--for yourself or for "someone who might need it".
What kind of stuff is in the home? If most of it's garbage, you'll have to rent a dumpster, if that's an option by you.
You have an interesting situation, and it sounds like a lot of work, but if you keep your eye on how you want the house to look once you're done, it'll make it easier to get rid of things.
Welcome to the site, and keep us posted on how it goes!
Diane
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Post by joyinvirginia on Feb 4, 2018 13:30:51 GMT -5
Welcome! Yes, share specifics if you can. There is probably a prior poster here who had had to deal with something similar, and can share what helped them.
Amnesty is the key concept to remember. If you got a property "as-is", and there is a lot of trash or miscellaneous stuff in and on the property, you can just get a dumpster and throw it all away, including appliances and furniture and old books and clothes, in addition to anything clearly trash. You don't have to recycle, or donate, or worry about reusing anything, or cleaning anything inside, or anything else that would take extra time.
You have amnesty when you are trying to dig out from a mess!
If you can, hire someone to come in and help you. Once a week, or once a month, whatever will help you stay on a maintenance schedule.
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vivlee
New Member
Joined: February 2018
Posts: 2
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Post by vivlee on Feb 4, 2018 19:56:17 GMT -5
Thanks guys. This house is an "As Is" house and it doean't belong to anyone I know. This is through a company that buys foreclosed houses and resales them cheap. The family that left must have took their clothing and left. Food still in the fridge, electronics, etc. Not including piles of trash. Some of the rooms are so packed that I couldn't get in more than half way through the room. Because of our money issue, hiring anyone to help is pretty much off the table. Once all paperwork is completed and we have the keys, I will take pictures. How much does a big dumpster run?
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Post by dtesposito on Feb 4, 2018 20:39:10 GMT -5
Wow, I had no idea that foreclosed homes sell with everything still in place--interesting. I hope you're getting a really great deal considering that you'll have to do a lot of work. Were you able to have any kind of inspection done? I imagine if some rooms were full it would be hard to even tell if the systems were working.
I've never used a dumpster, I'm sure it depends on the size and where you are--that's something you can do while waiting for the sale to be final--call some companies and ask about their rates and how it works.
I think it'll just end up being a lot of hard work--depending on how dirty the house is, you'll want to get some vinyl gloves, maybe shoe covers? And face masks, for the dust. If there's a real lot to get out, it might be more cost effective to buy some garbage cans with handles that you can fill up and then empty out into the dumpster--otherwise you'd be spending a lot of money on garbage bags.
Do you have a lease on the apartment? I'm wondering if you have to be out by a certain time.
I hope you'll tell us how it goes, I'm really interested in what it would be like to have to empty out a house that you're buying. It'll be hard work but it's certainly possible--and hopefully, seeing it crowded with stuff like that will have a positive effect on you--you'll be happy to see it empty out and you'll want to keep it empty and clean!
How long before the sale will be final, do you know?
Diane
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Post by joyinvirginia on Feb 4, 2018 23:33:12 GMT -5
Here is link to very helpful article about cleaning out a house. Written by Matt Paxton who used to appear on Hoarders. Now he is in business helping families deal with downsizing or managing estates after a loved ones death. www.legacynavigator.com/how-to-wrangle-ton-trash-items-in-your-house/Matt says in this article that it takes their crew about 200 hours to completely clean out an average house, and he estimates half of that time is handling trash. Is there anyone who can help? Sounds like it will be a physically tough job. |
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Post by clutterborn on Feb 4, 2018 23:55:12 GMT -5
Contact an auctioneer and an estate sales company. They'll come out at no charge, assess the items and will haul away items they think they can sell. What's left, you can trash.
Sometimes, they'll even have sales right at the house. Like a giant garage sale.
Some thrift shops may come out for the larger items, too.
Try to think of all the ways you can get things out without having to pay huge fees. 'Cause that will add up quickly.
Good luck
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Post by def6 on Feb 5, 2018 11:54:03 GMT -5
I say get a huge dumpster delivered and get everyone to help throw everything out that is not nailed down. Well worth the money.
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Post by nonchalant on Feb 5, 2018 13:26:52 GMT -5
Contact an auctioneer and an estate sales company. They'll come out at no charge, assess the items and will haul away items they think they can sell. What's left, you can trash. Sometimes, they'll even have sales right at the house. Like a giant garage sale. Some thrift shops may come out for the larger items, too. Try to think of all the ways you can get things out without having to pay huge fees. 'Cause that will add up quickly. Good luck
Yup, clutterborn, I was just thinking about this: Vivlee said electronics? There could be money in this! |
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Post by bub on Feb 6, 2018 0:34:30 GMT -5
When we took possession of our house the previous owners and a good chunk of their stuff were still there. They weren't supposed to be. The people left that night but the stuff took a long time to get rid of. A dumpster is brilliant, or call the town garbage pickup and see if they'll help out with extra pickups. Donate, toss, sell online with a firm toss date. Do 't inherit someone elses castoffs. 70 plus paint cans of experience speaking.
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Post by joyinvirginia on Feb 6, 2018 7:44:49 GMT -5
It is a good idea to get an auctioneer or someone similar out to look at things, if only to tell you that it's not worth saving. Unfortunately most electronics, unless they are very high end, are not going to be worth anything. Even local thrift ships won't accept tv's anymore. It's worth asking local dump folks where you can dispose of electronics.
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Post by ohblondie on Feb 6, 2018 16:06:56 GMT -5
We just had to empty out an apt. I tried to rescue stuff but then started tossing. I did come across family photo's I will get back to our tenant.
Nothing of much value was uncovered. The effort to save them would have been more than the cost.
My sons did keep a beer sign and a road sign.
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Post by Arid on Feb 8, 2018 0:14:27 GMT -5
Then again, I would suggest that you keep a look out for things of value.
It sounds as if these folks may have left in a hurry!
If that is the case, you might want to take the time to check coat pockets, old purses, jewelry boxes, etc. for any coins, paper money, and jewelry of value that might have been left in haste.
Who knows? You might find enough to cover the cost of a dumpster!
Depending on what you find (as in Blondie's example--family photos), you might want to return something to its rightful owner.
(I know! I know!! I'm going to get "burned at the stake" for that last remark! Amnesty only goes so far with me, though . . . )
Arid
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Post by shellsncheese on Feb 8, 2018 1:06:03 GMT -5
First make sure if there are any health hazards in the home (mouse feces, etc) you take proper precautions. A dumpster will vary by area, but is probably you best bet. Call the local town, explain the situation (it isn't your mess!) and ask about disposal options you may have. See if you can schedule a goodwill/salvation army pickup up for the bulk of the salvageable stuff. Give yourself permission to just toss. If the top of the box/bag looks like trash, assume it's all trash. They may be money in some of the stuff, I would only try to sell the obvious stuff. I wouldn't want to start looking up every item in the home. Okay, I would total want to, but it's a terrible idea.
Good luck!
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Post by ohblondie on Feb 9, 2018 11:33:45 GMT -5
I found a movie ticket (+/-$12)
$5 in returnable bottless that were tossed before I realized how many there were
About 2 dollars in change
A ring, probably not worth much.
Not enough for a dunpster, not enough to reimburse me for my time.
But you never know what you might find. The odds were not in my favor
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