Hoarding - Clearing Clutter Is Not Enough

Margaret, I knew someone who would not throw away their newspapers.  She had newspapers going back 50 years, yet you would never know she had an issue unless she let you into her house.

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 - Hoarding is a disease and you explained why it happens is on point. I had one listing and the Tenant was a hoarder. The Seller found out when the lease was up and the house needed to be sold. The Tenant had terminal cancer. The Landlord called a relative she listed on the lease in case of an emergency. Turned out, the woman was always a hoarder. Because owners are not allowed on the premises without permission, the seller did not know we were dealing with 2 problems: Terminal illness and Hoarder.

Good Saturday morning, Margaret.

This is good information to share with home sellers, their families and agents.

Good morning, Margaret. I've been fortunate not to have had to deal with a hoarder. However, I've got colleagues who have done so... and it's not a pleasant experience.

I've never had a client with a hoarding issue, but I know from Lauren Williams, CPO,CVOP posts that it is something that needs to be handled carefully. It also might take a while for a hoarder's home to be ready to go on the market!

I bought a hoarder house that had a tree fall on its roof, causing leaks inside. The previous owner had planned to either fix the issue or move. However, after she passed away, her children were forced to sell the house. She had purchased them their dream cars and dream homes on credit. After her death, the children discovered that she had a monthly income that ended with her passing, leaving them without the funds to pay the bills.

We spent five months uncovering the house’s walls and floors. I still own the property, and it generates rental income for me each month. Working with a hoarder house is possible; it just requires more time to clean out the clutter and address all the neglected maintenance issues.

Good morning Margaret. Hoarding is indeed a disease. I keep a lot of things but I shed a lot of things. I don't always make the best choices but ai do the best I can. And, while I have had many issues over the years getting sellers to declutter, only one experience with a hoarder. I did choose wisely, NEXT! Enjoy your day.

Hello Margaret - while there are those who may think it is hyperbolic to define hoarding as a disease; I agree with Patricia Feager that identifying it as such can be helpful.  It's different than messy - I continue to learn much from Lauren Williams, CPO,CVOP who has written many insightful posts on the subject.   

Margaret, is is a disorder.   I asked one of my favorite clients why she kept so much stuff in her bathroom.  Think she had EVERY kind of eye shadow or makeup product made.  She said they grew up with nothing, and today, she feels like it will be taken away somehow.

I have had my share of listing hoarded homes Miss Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 - when the owner had passed away.  You are right, people may never know their friend or family member is a hoarder. 

Hi Margaret excellent post on hoarders and the why's of it.  I have not had a listing with a hoarder living in it.  Although I have been in a hoarder house and OMG what a mess. Stacks and stacks of worthless stuff and the smell......that house hadn't been cleaned in years.  I quickly got out of there.  I knew something was 'off' about the lady.....and at some point her kids did get her the help she needed and cleaned up that home, thankfully.

Thanks so much for sharing this insightful post, Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400. I truly appreciate your thoughtful approach to such a delicate topic and how you highlight the importance of understanding behind-hoarding behaviors. It's a reminder that compassion and support go a long way in helping those affected. 😊

Margaret, I have a colleague in my Bni chapter who is a declutter. She is very upfront that she does not deal with hoarders. Honestly, I think that her personality is so focused on decluttering that she knows she lacks the skill and patience to help someone declutter. I love your post because it really focuses on the issues involved in being a border. It’s not just as simple as having too much stuff.  

Good afternoon Margaret,

I've dealt with only 1 true hoarder. Some other were borderline but 1 true one! It was an experience!! The wife was the hoarder and the husband wanted out! Her sister came down from Indiana and helped her and then took her home. He stayed here and got an apartment to finish his job for another two years. it took them 6.5 months to remove everything! I listed and it did sell as their home was in a quiet cul-de-sac, in a good school district and had a good floor plan.

Sadly, this really is a symptom of much deeper and serious issues. Thank you for pointing these out in your post.

I've been through the mill with hoarders Margaret Rome Baltimore, including my own mother. My wonderful wife and I were the ones who were left to clean up the mess along with some heavy lifting supplied by a couple of movers. These guys were great! They saw it for what it was. 

My own brother and sister had a hard time understanding that their own mother was a hoarder for some reasons I'll never understand. Years have passed since those days that we cleaned out my mom's old place. Hoarding is truly a disease and is clearly connected to other issues. As time goes by, we understand things better and better. If you ever face a hoarder understand it for what it is -- a disease triggered by many issues and for some reason a pit of emptiness in my stomach is still there years later. Good luck! Be patient my friends!

Thanks so much Margaret. It was all my pleasure!