The property or estate liquidation business typically occurs because of some unfortunate events in life. It may be caused by the death of a loved one, divorce, downsizing due to significant lifestyle changes, or relocation.  

Regardless of your situation, an estate cleanout can be a big deal and quite difficult to manage. This article defines what it’s all about, and shares several tips to help streamline the process.  

What Is An Estate Cleanout? 

An estate cleanout is the complete removal of all furniture, appliances, and personal items from a specific property or home. By the end of an estate cleanout, you’ll have an empty property. Unlike a house cleanout, all assets that were removed from the property after an estate cleanout can be sold, liquidated, or split amongst inheritors.  

5 Tips When Performing An Estate Cleanout 

Performing an estate cleanout is a huge task that involves several things to track. Here are some tips to ensure that your estate cleanout goes as smoothly as possible: 

1. Hire An Expert 

Whether you’re liquidating assets in the course of your divorce settlement, relocating, or taking care of a deceased loved one’s properties, estate cleanouts can be challenging and overwhelming. So, why not hire an expert cleanout service provider, like Dirt Cheap Rubbish Removal? 

The average home is about 2,500 square feet, typically filled with various assets and personal belongings. This is particularly true when liquidating a loved one’s belongings. Most of the time, grandparents and parents have accumulated decades of possessions, making the process of cleaning everything and disposing of rubbish a daunting task.  

By hiring a professional service, you can efficiently and quickly clear out the entire home. Regardless of the amount or size of items you have, an expert rubbish removal company is fully equipped to haul and clean out whatever space you need.  

2. Find Important Documents And Items 

Before going wild in clearing out the property, you first need to get your hands on the important documents. The documents you’ll need to look for will partially depend on the nature of your cleanout. For instance, if you’re clearing out a deceased loved one’s property, you’ll need to locate their will and insurance policies. 

Some of the most important documents you’ll need to locate include: 

• Credentials of online accounts 
• Utility bills 
• Tax forms and pay stubs 
• Social security card 
• Credit card account statements and information 
• Vehicle registrations 
• Mortgage payments 
• Paperwork of valuables such as art or jewelry 

These documents should be safely stored away before sorting and cleaning through the property.  

3. Set An End Date 

Sometimes, an estate cleanup can go on for weeks or months that seem to never end. Planning specific dates to work on and finish the process can help prevent this and complete your cleanout in time. This is particularly useful if your home has been sold or the property has been leased to a new renter. By setting a specific timeline, you have the motivation to move the process along and prevent from putting it off for months. 

At this stage, you may also contact close friends and relatives to collaborate on a set of days to undertake the cleanout. By making sure that everyone is on the same schedule, you can streamline the planning process of the estate cleanout.  

4. Organize And Distribute Belongings 

If you’re clearing out the belongings of a deceased loved one, organizing and distributing the items are important steps to take. Depending on your relationship with your family, bringing in a small group of immediate family members can help in organizing and distributing specific personal belongings. You can also work with the outer circle of close friends of the deceased to further liquidate any desirable assets. One of the most effective ways to reduce stress during a move is to declutter your home and organize your belongings.

5. Determine What You Can Sell And How 

Bulky and useful items, such as appliances, furniture, and decorative pieces, can be appraised and sold online or at your local thrift store. Depending on your goals and how much time you have, selling online on websites like Craigslist and eBay is an excellent way to declutter and clear out items with ease. You can also try to prepare and host an estate sale if you’re selling several items.  

It can be worthwhile to hire an appraiser for items that you think have high value so you can determine their price when selling. For items that are still useful but unwanted by both relatives and buyers, donating is a good option to help others.  

Takeaway 

Knowing where and how to start with an estate cleanout can be a daunting task, especially if the cause of the cleanout comes with heavy and difficult emotions, such as the death of a loved one. That said, with the above tips and strategies, you can greatly optimize the process and make it easier to manage.

Jane