An Expert’s Guide to Cleaning a Foreclosed Home
Have you recently acquired a foreclosed home? If so, you can still get back your investment by following the right steps. One of them is cleaning the property.
Most foreclosed homes have many items left from previous homeowners, which is why they tend to be dirty and cluttered. Transforming them into an appealing estate requires proper cleaning, but it can be overwhelming and costly if you don’t know what you’re doing. That is where we come in.
At The Pick-Up Artist Junk Removal, we are junk removal experts looking to assist real estate professionals, banks, and realtors in sprucing up foreclosed properties by sharing a comprehensive guide for cleaning a foreclosed home.
In this blog, we’ve created a six-step guide to the foreclosure cleanout process that will save you time and money. Let’s dive into it!
Preparation is key to saving time and money when cleaning a foreclosure home. We recommend starting your foreclosure cleanout with a thorough assessment of the property. Be sure to wear protective gear when heading inside.
Do a general walkthrough of the premises, including every room and the exterior, and note any major issues like structural damage, water leaks, mold, or infestations. Identify the most critical areas that need attention so you can prioritize tasks accordingly.
Once you’ve concluded your assessment, you can prepare a plan or cleaning checklist with the optimum schedule, requirements, steps, or even the assistance you need to recruit. Remember to include the necessary repairs or significant restorations in your plan.
Safety Tip: Certain tasks, such as mold removal, should be left to professionals. You can also hire professional junk removal services if you can’t handle the project on your own.
Cleaning foreclosure properties often require specialized tools and protective gear. The home may have been vacant for months or years, leading to the accumulation of hazardous waste, dust, mold, or even structural dangers like broken windows. Therefore, safety is paramount.
If you’re taking on the foreclosure work by yourself, you want to gather some essential supplies, which include the following:
- Heavy-duty garbage bags
- Shovels and rakes
- Buckets, mops, and cleaning supplies
- Brooms, dustpans, and vacuum cleaners
- Screwdrivers, hammers, and basic repair tools
- Gloves, masks, and safety goggles
In addition, foreclosed homes can present unexpected dangers, such as mold, pests, or broken glass, so it’s critical to protect yourself with gloves, masks, and eye protection. Consider using respirators if you’re dealing with heavy dust, mold, or chemicals.
The first major task in cleaning a foreclosed home is removing all the debris and junk left behind by previous occupants. This often includes old furniture removal, appliance removal, garbage removal, and unwanted items.
As expert junk haulers ourselves, we recommend taking out the bulkiest items first, such as large pieces of furniture, appliances, and such. You may need a team or a moving truck for bulky items.
Once you’ve freed up some room, you can go ahead and remove loose trash and debris by bagging it. Make sure to separate recyclables and items that can be donated as you go to prevent them from going to landfills. Additionally, you can do a general decluttering to salvage any useful items.
Safety Tip: For houses that have been neglected for a long time, you may encounter pests or hazardous materials like old chemicals, paint, or batteries. Be cautious when handling these items and dispose of them properly according to local regulations.
Once you’re done with the interior cleaning, you can move on to the yard. Foreclosed homes often have overgrown yards that need attention. If they’re clean, they can dramatically improve a property’s curb appeal, so it’s definitely worth including in your property cleanout.
The first step in cleaning the yard is to mow the grass and trim overgrown bushes, hedges, or trees. Then, you want to remove weeds and dead plants. Lastly, you need to clean up all of the yard waste. You can do that yourself or get specialized yard waste removal solutions.
If you want to give your outdoor spaces a plus, you can power wash all the exterior surfaces after the debris has been removed.
Foreclosure cleaning includes both deep cleaning and repair. When it comes to cleaning, some areas you want to focus on are floors, walls, ceilings, and of course, bathrooms and kitchens. If there are any working appliances, you want to deep clean them as well.
As you proceed with the cleaning, you might find some areas that need repairs. These are commonly leaky pipes, damaged flooring, broken windows, and more. Handling any maintenance tasks as you clean will make it easier to solve.
Once the property is cleaned and repaired, you want to finish it all with a thorough safety inspection to ensure it’s habitable. Key areas to check are utilities, such as electrical systems, plumbing, and HVAC systems. You also want to verify the structural safety of the property.
By taking these steps, you ensure the home is safe and ready for occupancy, whether it’s for resale, renting, or personal use, and prevent liabilities.
The Easiest Approach to Cleaning a Foreclosed Home!
Despite seeming like a daunting task, cleaning a foreclosed home is extremely rewarding, and your efforts will pay off. Breaking the process into clear steps like we have is a great advantage. Another excellent solution is to hire professional foreclosure cleanout services.
Hiring this type of service will not only save you time and trouble, but it can also save you money if you choose the best foreclosure cleanup business. In Las Vegas, that is none other than us, The Pick-Up Artist Junk Removal.
Our full junk removal company offers complete waste disposal solutions, including foreclosure cleanout services, for your utmost peace of mind.
With 40 years of experience, competitive prices, and 30 cubic yards of trucks, we are your superior partner for property management. We even offer convenient discounts depending on the size of the project for property managers. Contact us today!
