The preceding post generated a host of insightful comments and unfortunate situations.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/3350830/my-oh-my-you-have-a-big-mess
One in particular that rung true was that some individuals may not just be a hoarder, but a stacker.
Think magazines from decades gone by stacked in orderly or not so orderly fashion to look like a library turned 90 degrees on its side throughout the property. Imagine a windy 'road' from the front door around to the bedroom on a one-story, Ranch-style house that leads to the bedroom, with little 'paths' off to the side for the kitchen and the bathroom. I've seen it so many times it just seems like comic book material or a bad TV show, but indeed it exists and yes it detracts from value.
AND it is a FIRE hazard. One wrong activity in that 'stacker' or 'hoarder' home and it is going up in flames 2-3x faster than a typical property. And yes, forget about selling that baby. As duly noted, the minute someone says, "I don't value my home enough to clean it up or 'declutter'" then a Realtor or an investor comes along and says no one else is going to value your house either for very much.
Indeed, nothing can kill a home value faster in a soft or unstable market than one that doesn't show well and whether they are a stacker or a hoarder, the house is 'ill' and it is going to show up in the sadly, low, selling price.
And, even if there was a mandatory 3-hour "prepare your home to sell" video instruction, it seems quite likely this type of hoarder or stacker would just be oblivious.
Michael Hobbs
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