Have you recently inherited a family member’s hoarded property? Or are you just helping out a friend or neighbor who is trying to move past their addiction to collecting things? Whatever the reason you’re approaching this hoard, you don’t have to feel too intimidated. If you’re looking for a place to start, check out this list of suggestions to get you going.
Reach Out for Help
It may have only taken one person to accrue all this stuff, but that doesn’t mean you have to tackle the problem all on your own. Reach out to neighbors, family, friends, and even local nonprofit groups to see if anyone would be willing and able to assist you, whether it be financially or through actual physical labor. Plan a date to begin work and make sure there are people who can help that are both organized and willing to take direction.
Determine What You Can Sell
While many hoards have a lot of trash that’s simply unusable, there are often some things you can sell. Look around the property; there are plenty of places that give cash for junk cars VA and pawn shops are often willing to accept a random assortment of items. It’s a great idea to get some money from the hoard to help fund the clean-up process or to help the homeowner, but don’t let the prospect of making money slow down the progress. The most important thing is to clean the hoard.
Take It Step by Step
This can be an overwhelming project, but it’s made much more attainable if you break it up into sections and pace yourself. Come up with specific, manageable goals and attack them in a reasonable manner. Don’t be disappointed if you progress at a slower rate than you’d hoped. Any progress is a step in the right direction!
If you’re tackling a hoarded home, make sure you enlist assistance, sell what you can, and make an organized plan of attack.