If you’re dealing with a hoarder house and trying to figure out how to sell it, I want you to know something right away — you’re not alone. Every month, I talk to people who feel overwhelmed, embarrassed, or completely stuck because they have a property filled with belongings, trash, or items the previous owner held onto for years.
Some people inherited a hoarder house.
Some became landlords and discovered the mess after tenants left.
Others are helping a family member transition and don’t know where to start.
And almost everyone says the same thing:
“I can’t clean this out… I just want it gone.”
If that’s how you feel, it’s okay. I’ve been buying homes in the Greater New Orleans area for 20 years, and hoarder houses are one of the most common situations we see — and one we’re very comfortable handling.
Let’s walk through what your real options are, and how to sell a hoarder house fast without cleaning anything.
Why Selling a Hoarder House Is So Overwhelming
Hoarder houses come with challenges beyond what most people expect. It’s not just the clutter — it’s everything around it:
· You may not know what’s under the piles.
· There could be mold, old wiring, pests, or hidden damage.
· Contractors often refuse to work in homes like this.
· Cleaning companies charge thousands — sometimes more.
· It’s emotionally draining, especially if the home belonged to a loved one.
Most homeowners reach a point where cleaning it out simply isn’t realistic, financially or emotionally.
And here’s the good news:
Real New Orleans Home Owners Give Real Reviews.
See how homeowners like you sold their houses fast for cash, without the usual difficulties.
Paul D.
“Carl made the selling super easy.”
A pleasure to do business with this company. I really appreciate everything Carl did to make the selling of my property super easy. I highly recommend this business. Carl is the best!
Janice L.
“Felt very comfortable, friendly, and empathetic.”
Mr. Carl was very business-like yet friendly and empathetic to my needs. I felt very comfortable with selling my home to him and would highly recommend him to my friends.
Option 1: Clean It Out and List It (The Hardest Route)
You can clean the property out, make repairs, and list it with an agent. But for most hoarder houses, this is the hardest and most expensive option.
Here’s why:
· Cleanout crews can cost $3,000–$15,000+
· Repairs may be required before listing
· Buyers will want inspections and ask for more repairs
· The house still takes 45–60 days to close, and that’s after the cleanout
· You have to make dozens of decisions you don’t want to make
For families dealing with grief, stress, or time constraints, this usually isn’t the best route..
Option 2: List It As-Is With an Agent
Some people choose to list the home as-is and hope a buyer will take it.
This is still a complicated option and here is why:
· Most buyers will be hesitant
· Lenders may deny loans
· Inspections will uncover issues
· The mess can turn people away
· You may get lowball offers
· Closing can still take months
It can work, but it rarely works quickly — and you might still end up cleaning things out just to get it listed. Most real estate agents are not well versed in these situations. They are used to listing houses in great shape and like to show off all the great features of a house. Even a house that needs a little TLC they can talk up the potential for the house. Houses full of stuff from a hoarder though, that’s a whole different ballgame.
Option 3: Sell It As-Is to a Local Cash Buyer (The Simple Route)
This is where working with a local cash buyer like us makes the biggest difference.
When you sell a hoarder house to us:
· You do not clean anything
· You do not remove anything
· You do not repair anything
· You do not deal with contractors
· You do not pay commissions or fees
· We handle everything — even the cleanout
We walk through the house one time, make a fair cash offer, and you choose the closing date. The whole process can take as little as 7–14 days depending on the title work.
I’ve bought many properties filled wall-to-wall with belongings, trash, old furniture, paperwork, and things that accumulated over years — sometimes decades. It’s nothing new to us, and we approach every situation with respect and privacy. It doesn’t matter if it’s organized or stuff is literally just strewn about everywhere.
How Do I Sell My Home Fast in New Orleans?
Our goal is to provide a convenient, transparent, and professional home selling experience for our clients. Our three-step process will ensure that you receive the level of service that you deserve. Our approach is unique because it’s consultative. We want to learn about every prospective client’s unique situation and figure out the best way to help. Check out how our simple home buying process works.
Check Out How It Works
Learn exactly how we develop our offers and how the process works. It’s really very simple & easy.
Learn More About us
Before selling to us, get to know us. Everything we do is based on honesty and transparency.
Get Your Cash Offer
Fill in the form and we’ll contact you with your offer! There is no pressure & no obligation to accept.
Why Local Experience Matters
A lot of big out-of-state companies advertise that they “buy houses as-is,” but what they don’t tell you is that:
· Many don’t actually buy the house
· They assign the contract to someone else
· They may back out last minute
· They don’t understand local laws, codes, or title issues
A true local buyer actually closes, actually handles the cleanout, and knows how to navigate the unique issues we see in the Greater New Orleans area — from older wiring and plumbing to flood damage to title/succession complications.
That experience matters when the house is in rough shape.
We Donate With Every Home We Buy
One thing I’m proud of is that for every home we purchase — including hoarder houses — we donate $100 to the Manning Family Children’s Hospital. So not only do you get a simple sale, but you also help support kids in our community.
In 2025 we bought 33 houses and we sent $3300 to Children’s Hospital throughout the course of the year. That brings our total donations over the last 3 years to over $10,000. This is an accomplishment we are very proud of and we are going to continue this mission into 2026.
You Don’t Have to Clean a Hoarder House to Sell It
If the property feels overwhelming, embarrassing, or impossible to clean, you don’t need to take that on. You don’t have to spend thousands on dumpsters, labor, or contractors. And you don’t have to delay your life because of a house.
You have a simple option: sell it as-is and walk away.
If you’d like to talk through your situation or get a no-obligation cash offer, I’m here to help.
Visit NOLABuysHouses.com
Call/Text: 504-264-1407
I’m here to make this easy for you — and you don’t need to clean a single thing.