Estate cleanouts can be a burdensome and overwhelming process. They involve the removal of all possessions from a home including all furniture, appliances, personal belongings, and food. The purpose is to make the home appear new and as if it had never been lived in, and the end result is often the selling of the house.
As opposed to merely cleaning out a house, estate cleanouts often occur after terrible circumstances such as extreme debt, divorce, or the death of a loved one. No matter the circumstances, though, cleaning out an estate is never simple or easy.
So, what can you do to make the process of cleaning out an estate less burdensome and stressful?
The first tip to making this process easier is to take your time and create a game plan. Then, locate all valuables and decide what to keep versus what to sell, donate, or toss.
Below we will discuss some more tips on how you can make it through this process with less stress.
Take Your Time
The first step to an estate cleanout should be a simple walkthrough. Get a bearing on the amount of items in the estate and begin to catalog what you would like to keep versus get rid of.
The key to an estate cleanout is to be thorough so as not to forget anything. Many homeowners tend to put items away and forget about them, so be sure to inspect every box and every nook and cranny. Also be sure to check clothing and coat pockets for any forgotten valuables or memorabilia. Take your time and be thorough throughout the process.
You may also find that at times you become overwhelmed or emotional, especially when inspecting sentimental items. If you find this happening, take a step back and give yourself the break that you need.
Make a Game Plan
Many difficult projects are made easier with a plan in place. Looking at the entire estate and all that needs to be done may be intimidating. Instead, break the estate into manageable chunks and tackle each chunk as its own individual project. This may mean cleaning out one room a day or organizing the items into categories.
Locate Important Documents
You will also need to locate all important documents in the estate as you will need them in the months to come. This includes insurance policies, bank statements, wills, stock and bond certificates, estate and vehicle titles, and any other documents you may need. It is also good practice to forward any mail to a new address.
Locate All Valuables
Throughout the estate cleaning process, you will find items of both financial value and sentimental value. People tend to keep items of value in special or hidden locations, so be sure to check every cabinet or cubby hole as well as pockets. Review each item you find to decide if it holds any value.
It may be helpful to hire an appraiser who can accurately identify the financial value of certain items. You can then decide if this is an item you would like to keep or one you would like to sell. Liquidators can then help you through the selling process.
For items of sentimental value, be sure to set these aside so they do not get mixed in with the items you are getting rid of. For instance, pictures are irreplaceable and are great to look back on in later years. Be sure to put these into a carefully labeled box away from other items so you can take them with you.
Decide on What to Sell, Donate, or Toss
Unfortunately, you cannot keep every item you come across during an estate cleanout. Other people may find these items useful, though. First, you must decide what you can sell. Many times, estate cleanouts are necessary due to extreme debt or asset liquidation, in which selling certain items may be beneficial.
For the items you cannot sell, consider donating them to a local charity or thrift store. Once you have decided what to keep, what to sell, and what to donate, all other items should be tossed. This may include furniture, appliances, clothing, and items that are no longer useful or in good condition.
Get Help
Even after you follow all the tips outlined above, an estate cleanout can still be a difficult and stressful process. If you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed, it is important to get help. This is not a process that you have to do alone. Get some family or friends to help you sort through your items as well as offer support.
There are also professional cleanout services that you can hire to make the process easier and quicker. Professional cleanout providers are trained in the safe removal of property and can come in handy for heavier items.
Conclusion
Estate cleanouts can be a trying, overwhelming, and stressful endeavor that brings about a lot of mixed emotions. Be sure to take your time, take breaks when you need them, be thorough, and carefully evaluate each item so you are not getting rid of something you may have wished to keep. By following the tips outlined above, you can make it through this process.
Time to Call the Professionals
At Mitten Junk Removal, we work closely with homeowners and family members to make the process of cleaning out an estate as easy and stress-free as possible. Our crews can help sort through belongings and clear out the house in an organized way. Our experience has helped us help you because we have seen over and over how stressful hauling away a lifetime of things can be.
We are proud to serve the residents of Michigan in junk removal services that include garage cleanouts, basement cleanouts, light demolition, storage unit clean outs and so much more. Improving lives and businesses by delivering an unparalleled customer experience through junk removal is our mission. So if junk is keeping you from moving on or achieving your goals, call us!