Estate Cleanout | 5-minute read
Estate Administration | Junk Removal | Personal Property

 

The estate cleanout can be intimidating.  The mix of personal effects, memories, and property to keep or discard makes for a tangle of emotion and manpower.  In most cases, the family is faced with the prospect of preparing the space for sale or turnover to new residents, and every piece must be cleared. Every estate is different, and each situation requires a solution to fit.

What’s the Objective?

If the objective is to prepare real property for sale, the estate may be on the clock to move things quickly.  Getting a property on the market sooner is an advantage and selling sooner may avoid property tax payments.  Consider the schedule when setting cleanout goals.

Personal Property is the term used to describe the material movable assets of an estate that may be either sold or distributed.  Planning for the distribution or liquidation of these items plays into an estate’s plan for cleanout.  This process can be time-consuming and if it involves heirs and a family dynamic for this piece of the estate, plan accordingly.

Communicate your goals.  If the cleanout depends on multiple estate stakeholders, communicate what you’re trying to accomplish and in what timeframe.  Transparent expectations make life easier for families in these situations.

Cleanout Tip: When cleanout depends on feedback and communication from multiple individuals, it may be difficult for “the person on the ground” to move forward.  We like the tool, Artifcts, an app that helps executors move through personal property and share with others for their feedback, intentions, and advice.  Estate Talks: Executor Tools: Artifcts® for Estate Cleanout, Distribution and Legacy

Consider All Moving Parts

The Realtor, the Estate Sale Company or Auction Company, and the rest of the family may all affect the timing and demands of an estate cleanout.

• The sale of a property requires showing to potential buyers, so the property should be in a clean presentable state.
• Liquidation of personal property requires an understanding of what is sellable.
• Distribution to family of personal property may require a process for decision-making, and if necessary, appraisal.
  A tool like Fairsplit may simplify that task.

All these factors affect the scheduling and selection of the right cleanout contractor.

Know Your Cleanout Contractor

Services range from estate cleanout companies to junk removal companies.  Some companies may provide go-through, sorting and discarding services, while others may be strictly “clear the house.”  Some companies may work with clients and evaluate the contents, acknowledging the resale value and others may not.  How this affects price will differ on a case-by-case basis.  Have an honest conversation about your expectations.  Ask for the contract you’ll be signing.

Discovery of the options available will help 1. Plan your cleanout in light of your objectives, and 2. Get on the contractor’s schedule.  Some contractors schedule a month or more out.

Communicate with candidate service providers your goals, needs, and expectations.

 

Read More:

Estate Talks: Insider Tips from Executor/Estate Cleanout Professional

Estate Cleanout 101: Understanding Dumpsters

Supplies: Bring this for House Packing, Estate Cleanout and Organization