Hoarder House Cleanouts: Should You Clean Before Sell A Hoarder House in Memphis?

Standing in the middle of a room filled with years of accumulated belongings can feel pretty paralyzing. Whether you are tackling your own property or you’ve inherited a family member’s home in Shelby County that has spiraled out of control, the question is always the same: “How am I ever going to clear this out?”

If you’re thinking of selling, you might think you have to spend months cleaning, sorting, and hauling junk before you can even stick a “For Sale” sign in the yard.

The truth is here: No, you do not have to clean it.

While a traditional real estate agent might tell you to rent a dumpster and spend thousands on professional remediation, selling to a cash buyer offers a different path. Here is a breakdown of the costs, the stress, and why selling “as-is” might be your smartest financial move in Memphis.

The Hidden Costs of Cleaning a Hoarder’s House in Memphis

Most individuals underestimate what it actually takes to clear out a property affected by hoarding. It isn’t just a matter of spending a weekend with a few boxes of trash bags.

The Financial Hit

The Structural Surprises

The clutter often conceals serious damage. Once the piles are removed, homeowners often find:

• Rotting floorboards from unnoticed leaks.
• Termite damage or rodent infestations.
• Mold is developing behind stacked furniture because of the Memphis humidity.

If you clean the house yourself to list it on the MLS with a Realtor, you are then legally required to disclose these defects, or pay to fix them.

Why You Can Sell a Hoarder House in Memphis As-Is

This is where the “Spencer Buys Houses” approach is different.

When we say “As-Is,” we mean it literally. We are looking for the potential of the property, not the current condition of the living room.

We Buy Houses in Any Condition (Even with the “Stuff”)

You do not need to sort the valuables from the trash unless you want to. If you want to take a few sentimental items and leave the rest—including furniture, old clothes, piles of newspapers, or broken appliances—you can.

When we buy your house, we take legal responsibility for everything inside it. We hire the crews to clean it out after closing. You walk away with your check, and we handle the heavy lifting.

Realtor vs. Cash Buyer: What’s Best for Hoarding Situations?

If you are wondering which route to take, look at this comparison:

Listing with a Memphis Realtor:

• Privacy: You must clear the house so strangers can walk through during open houses. Neighbors will see the clean-out crew and the dumpsters.
• Time: It can take 3-6 months to clean, repair, list, and close.
• Inspections: A traditional buyer’s inspector will likely flag safety hazards caused by the hoarding, potentially killing the deal.

Selling to Spencer Buys Houses:

• Privacy: No “For Sale” sign. No open houses. Just one private walkthrough with me (Spencer).
• Speed: We can close in as little as 7-14 days.
• Certainty: We pay cash. No bank inspections, no appraisals, and no judgment.

How We Handle Hoarder Homes at Spencer Buys Houses

I have walked through hundreds of properties in Memphis. There is nothing you can show me that will shock me.

My process is built on respect:

1. The Call: You tell us about the property. You don’t have to sugarcoat it.
2. The Visit: I come out to take a look. I look at the “bones” of the house—the roof, the foundation, the neighborhood—not the clutter.
3. The Offer: I give you a fair, all-cash offer based on the market value minus the cleanup costs I will incur.
4. The Closing: You take what you want to keep, and leave the rest behind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Hoarded Homes in Memphis

Q: Will you really buy the house with trash left inside? A: Yes. You can leave food in the fridge, clothes on the floor, and furniture in the rooms. We handle the entire cleanout after we own the house.

Q: Do I need to pay for a dumpster? A: No. If you sell to us, we pay for the dumpsters and the labor. That cost is factored into our offer so you don’t have to come out of pocket.

Q: I’m embarrassed to let anyone see inside. How do you handle that? A: We are professional real estate investors, not neighbors or critics. We view the house strictly as a business project. We maintain 100% confidentiality.

Q: The house has code violations from the City of Memphis. Can you still buy it? A: Yes. We often buy houses that have active code violations or condemnation notices. We deal with the city, so you don’t have to appear in environmental court.

Q: Is it faster to sell to you or list it? A: Selling to us is significantly faster. Listing a hoarder’s house requires months of prep work. We can close immediately.

Ready to Move On?

If the thought of cleaning out that house makes you anxious, stop worrying about it. You have an option that doesn’t involve trash bags, dumpsters, or expensive cleaning crews.

At Spencer Buys Houses, we help Memphis homeowners hit the reset button.

Call us today at (901)-979-9848 or fill out the form to get a fair, confidential cash offer.