With estate sales, loved ones are looking to get that house on the market ASAP. However, there’s usually a major problem.
Cleaning.
Many estates have trash, debris, and property that the former owners left behind. Junk360 is here to help! Here are a few of our tips for estate clean outs.
Clean Out Personal Belongings
Here are a few options for cleaning out the personal belongings in your estate.
- Sell: If you still want to try and sell your items off, there are a few resources left to you. Many antique and collectible dealers (especially the ones that have storefronts) might be willing to buy some of your antiques or collectibles. And there’s always Craigslist. Post an ad on Craigslist or Freecycle with pictures of the leftover items. You could sell them individually or as “all or nothing.” Lastly, check the yellow pages for auction services. Some businesses auction off household items like lamps, rugs, art, furniture, and mirrors. They will usually take a percentage off what it goes for at auction and send you a check for the remainder.
- Donate: Many charities are willing to come pick up estate sale leftovers. However, most come with the stipulations that it’s “all or nothing.” Before the charity arrives, make sure there is no junk or trash remaining on the property. Most individuals who choose this option end up renting a dumpster, which is an added cost to consider. After disposing of the waste, create a spreadsheet list of everything left in the estate. This becomes your list of donated items, which can be deducted from your estate tax return.
- Junk Removal Service: Many estate sales companies will have a list of recommended junk removal services for you to consider. While this option costs you additional money, it saves you time and energy in the long run. An environmental conscious junk hauling company, like Junk360, will separate what can be donated and recycled from what they’ll take to the landfill. This “all in one alternative” is perfect for people who need properties emptied quickly and efficiently.
Estate Cleaning Tips for the Interior
If the company you hired to manage your estate does not buy the remaining materials from you, you are left with the responsibility of cleaning out the property. Here are some tips for cleaning out the home’s interior.
- Safety first: Guaranteeing the security of the house and the property inside is the number one priority. Make sure all the windows and doors close and lock. Double check the garage door. This will ensure that the burglars and vagrants cannot enter the house during this process.
- Start from the inside: Shut off all the primary utilities. This includes gas, water, and electricity. Once the water is shut off, drain all the pipes. Remember to flush all the toilets and run every facet until there’s no water flowing. Doing so will prevent the pipes from freezing. If you can, wrap the pipes with insulation to keep them from bursting.
- Work from top to bottom: Contact a professional junk removing service to haul away the stacks of debris in the attic, house, garage, and basement. This is not a task a family member or estate agent should expect to do on their own.
Estate Clean Out Tips for the Exterior
Having a presentable exterior is important for properties that are going up for sale or have been sold. Here are a few ways you can increase the estate property’s curb value:
- Remove yard junk and debris: A house’s exterior appearance goes a long way towards selling a property. Part of Junk360’s professional junk hauling service includes removing sheds, swimming pools, decks, fences, trees, lumber, and metal. We even haul away automobiles, trucks, and trailers! This not only increases buyer interest, but it helps ensure the property’s safety.
- Maintain the lawn: Keep the lawn regularly mowed. If necessary, call in a landscaping company to weed and trim. Again, investing in the exterior of a property greatly improves its value and marketability.
- Winterize: If you’re going to show the property during winter, prepare the property for ice and snow. Shovel and salt the walkways and driveways regularly. Watch how much snow accumulates on the roof as this is a potential cause of leaking and (worst case scenario) caving.
