Wow,
I have had similar experiences in the past. There is always a good chance tax sale properties are owned by hoarders.
Just recently had a squatter family leave one of my tax deed properties. Last year they moved into the vacant home, turned on the utilities, and then never paid a bill. The water company turned the water off for two weeks in March, but with Covid the governor ordered all utilities to stay on. They had been living there with free utilities until a few weeks ago!
During this time I received dozens of city ordinance complaints as they trashed the yard and house. I did report to the electric company that the electric panel was wide open and unsafe. I think that forced them to shut the power off. They moved out soon after. The heat or no TV got to them!
Upon entering the home there was an EXTREME INFESTATION of roaches and fleas! They had been using duck tape to seal cracks and holes where bugs were coming out of the walls and floor. Apparently they were living with the bugs for a long time. They also had only a washer. The dryer had not been used in years. Neighbors told me how poorly their kids lived - wearing the same clothes for weeks.
I also have a lien on a property where the owner lived WITHOUT WATER for two years before moving out! One room is completely full of Depend Diapers - to the ceiling! Another room is completely full to the ceiling with empty water bottles! Luckily it has been a few years since the owner moved and the house doesn't smell as bad as you would imagine it would. Should be an interesting clean out!
Pointers...
Fact is you never know what you will find in these properties. Equip your crew with gloves, masks, bug spray, etc. Tell your crew to be mindful of drug needles and sharp objects. Typically we start with outside and work our way in. Depending on your dumpster company, you may be able to pre-purchase 10-20 dumpsters for the year to get a lower rate. Also, we almost always order a 40yarder. If you have the option for drop off & tonnage vs flat rate, the size of dumpster matters less, so get the biggest possible. If you opt for tonnage rate, and the dumpster is exposed, try to call for pick up before it rains or after a few days of sun as water will weigh it down. If you can combine cleanout and demo in the same operation, do it.
The cleanout phase is certainly not the most appealing part of Real Estate, but it is important. Cleaning out a property adds value to the property. It also give you a better look at the utilities and structure of the house. Typically you will score points with all the neighbors for attacking the eyesore in their community - use this time to introduce yourself. Cleaning out the property also lessens the chance a previous owner returns to rummage through the property. I think sometimes the cleanout phase is taken for granted (because some think its easy), but if you have a trained crew and efficient system in place before you arrive at the property, you will save time and money.
Joe D
