Why Barry Lebow’s Experience Matters
Barry knows how overwhelming a hoarder home situation can be. When a person living with hoarding disorder passes away or moves into care, their family is often left unsure how to proceed. Along with the emotional strain of loss or difficult transitions, loved ones must decide whether to clean and keep the property or put it on the market. A home burdened with extreme clutter and unhealthy or unsafe conditions is not something most families can handle alone and often requires professional support.
If you are trying to figure out how to sell a hoarder home in Toronto, Barry Lebow can provide clear direction and practical help. The volume of belongings and the condition of the property can feel intimidating, but Barry works with experienced professionals who deal with these situations regularly. His team helps sort belongings, remove clutter, thoroughly clean the space, and prepare the home for sale, turning a stressful process into one that is far more manageable.
First Step: Evaluate the Mess
Hoarding does not always mean disorganization. In some cases, the home contains extensive collections that have simply grown beyond control. These can include vinyl albums, tools, high end clothing that was never worn, vintage signs, or large movie and toy collections.
When valuable items are involved, the initial step is to have them properly evaluated. Once their value is established, the next decision is whether to sell them directly to a private collector or place them through an auction process.
In many situations I have handled, homeowners kept virtually every document they ever received. It is not unusual to find decades of paperwork. In one property I helped sell, the owners had even saved the original Eaton’s receipt for the wall to wall carpeting installed in the 1950s.
At first glance, it might feel like everything could simply be thrown away and the home refreshed with new paint. In reality, hoarder properties are rarely that straightforward. Repairing and preparing these homes for sale often reveals serious underlying issues that must be addressed.
Common challenges when working with hoarder houses include:
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Structural damage that has gone unnoticed
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Deceased animals, ranging from household pets to rodents
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Deteriorated walls and rotting floorboards
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Biological contamination, including animal waste and sometimes human waste
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Carpeting buried under debris that is heavily soiled and often saturated with urine and strong odours
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Kitchen cabinets with missing or severely damaged doors and drawers
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Heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing systems that are broken or no longer functioning properly
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Infestations such as fleas, cockroaches, rodents, or a combination of all three
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Powerful and persistent smells throughout the home
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Mould growth, which in some situations has required crews to wear full protective hazmat gear
These conditions make professional assessment and cleanup essential before a hoarder home can be safely repaired or sold.
The specialized services Barry Lebow offers for hoarder home situations:
Visit and assess the situation
Estimate the market value “as is” and projected, after clean up and repair
Bring in my transition manager to obtain a quotation for the removal of junk
Ensure that any sentimental items are protected for the family or friends
Decide if there are any valuable goods that could be sold at consignment or auction
Decide if any items from household goods to furniture can be donated to charity
Then, Start the clearing out process
(Note, we may have to spray for fleas or cockroaches in advance of starting)
Get the house stripped to the bare walls and floors
Ascertain if there is damage to walls, floors, ceilings, cabinets
Ascertain if there is any structural damage (we have brought in structural engineers)
Remove all broadloom to expose wood floors
If floors are too damaged or if only a subfloor, install engineered hardwood throughout
Paint entire house
Wash all windows
Repair all easy to fix items such as door handles, replace missing knobs, etc.
Obtain a preliminary home inspection
Ensure for houses that the grounds are groomed inclusive of shrubbery
Decide whether or not to pressure wash walkways, patios and drives
Yes, we have had to install new kitchens
All work is analyzed, Barry estimates if the money spent will yield higher money for the final sale. Some work may be too expensive and not warranted
A professional cleaning crew shines and polishes throughout
Barry markets the house for a successful sale
Note, Barry supervises all aspects of the ongoing clean up program with numerous onsite visits and dealing with all trades and he takes no extra money, no contractingfees, no hidden paybacks. It is all part of his full service as an active Realtor.
Never leave money on the table
Many times I have heard that a relative wants to just sell the house “as is” and let the nextperson deal with it.
See my testimonials – in a recent situation as is was around $800,000. By following my plan andspending $17,500 we received $975,000!
You Must Be Time Sensitive
Did you know that most insurance policies do not cover a house (or condo) left empty for 30 days or more? You may be able to get a 3 month extension of insurance but be prepared to pay a premium. A property without insurance is a property at risk.
Depending on the property Barry and his professionals can be done from start to finish within 2 to 3 weeks.
Few Realtors
Barry is a Realtor with vast experience who handles the “hard ones.” He has worked with multiple hoarders or damaged houses during his career and he has the professional assistanceneeded to assist a family in distress.
Barry sells every property he lists – that is a fact!
Barry Lebow, Broker-of-Record , RE/MAX Realtron, Robert Kroll Realty, Brokerage
ASA, SRES, SREA, ABR, FRI, CRF, IFAS
Professional Land Economist, Arbitrator and Mediator
Honourary Life Member, Toronto Regional Real Estate Board
A Real Estate Professional Since 1968!
183 Willowdale Ave, North York, ON M2N 4Y9
RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award Winner
Cell // 416-399-2852 Email // Barry Lebow
