Cleaning Out a Parent's House: Where to Start

If you're reading this, you might be facing one of the hardest jobs there is. A lot of people call us because they're overwhelmed, or because they live far away and can't spend weeks here. That's exactly what we're here for.

Step by step

1. Take a breath. Unless there's a hard deadline, like a lease ending, a house sale, or a move into care, you don't have to do it all this week.
2. Secure the house. Lock up. Collect keys, mail, important papers, photos, jewelry, and any firearms.
3. Know who has legal authority. Executor, trustee, or power of attorney. See our Nevada executor guide.
4. Family chooses first. Agree on a fair way to divide things, and write down who took what.
5. Don't toss or donate yet. The things that look ordinary, like tools, kitchenware, old clothes, and records, often sell. (What not to throw away)
6. Call for a walkthrough. We'll tell you honestly whether there's enough for a sale. If there isn't, our sister company, Dunk The Junk, can handle the cleanout.
7. We hold the sale. Sorting, pricing, advertising, and selling.
8. Donation, haul-away, and optional cleaning. We donate what we can, and the rest is hauled away. The house is left ready for the realtor or landlord.

Feeling guilty about selling Mom's things?

That's normal. A lot of families tell us it helped to know their parent's things went home with people who'll use them and love them. That's part of why I do this.

Living out of state?

We can do your walkthrough by video, pick up keys from a lockbox, and keep you updated by phone and email. We're also happy to work with your realtor or a local family member.

Call (775) 683-1965 · Email us