I didn’t do much. Mom had a sale then sold the remaining junk to one person for a set price and that person loaded up everything and cleared it out. Then Mom and Dad actually hired someone to paint all of the inside except the kitchen. It still needs updating, but mainly just needs wallpaper removed. Then they hired someone to replace carpet throughout and put new vinyl planks in the kitchen. I emphasize “hired” because my parents seem to think us kids can do everything. I was all set to spend a weekend painting.
It was pretty painful watching my mother part with her stuff. She is not a hoarder, but she had a lot of clutter. Unfortunately, she moved a lot of that clutter with her!
Well, one step at a time. At least they got rid of some stuff and they’re out of the house.
My in-laws had an issue like this. My MIL collected stuff over the years in the house and my FIL collected things in the garage. My MIL’s mother died and added more stuff to the home. MIL tried to do the sorting herself after 55 years but just couldn’t part with items, too busy, paralyzed by the clutter and the kids were much more willing to let go the stuff she had from all 3 of them. She tried Konmari method and numerous books. She ended up hiring an organizer friend to help her go through room by room, closet by closet. The hired help really worked because they have no attachment to the stuff but they are friends so the woman is supportive of her. They just make a tiny check with the kids pile otherwise decision made right then and there. Dump, donate, sell, or give away. I think this will be helpful because my in-laws are not sick yet but will have more room and freedom in the coming years
The house sold within 3 days of listing, and they closed Friday. I feel like I should be sad since it was my childhood home. As I thought about the good times we had growing up, it was all about the people, not the house, and the people have grown up, grown old, moved away or died. I lived in that house about 21 years, with four of those off at college. I have lived in my current house 28 years.
I work for an insurance agent and we have my parents’ home policy. Since the house sold, we are canceling it and I suggested writing renters insurance for their apartment. My mom didn’t want to spend $125/year to cover her personal property. Today, I told her I didn’t understand how her “stuff” was so wonderful that she could not donate it or throw it away, but if it burns up, then that’s ok. She’s getting the renter’s policy.
And a scary thought: While I was there playing cards this afternoon, there was a loud beeping going on. It sounded like a forklift backing up. I couldn’t tell if it was a car alarm going off or a smoke detector or what. When I asked them what that beeping noise was, neither of them could hear it. 