A house full of stuff is hard to sell and hard to renovate. Whether you're an agent prepping a listing, an investor who just bought a property with the contents included, or a flipper halfway through a rehab, getting the junk out fast keeps the deal moving.
For listing agents: clear it before the photos
Buyers can't picture themselves in a room they can't see. Basements packed wall to wall and bedrooms full of furniture make a house look smaller, and they hide the condition of floors and walls that buyers will ask about anyway. A cleanout before the listing photos helps the home show well.
Estate listings come up a lot in Philadelphia, especially in neighborhoods where families have owned the same rowhome for generations. Families often live out of town and need someone local they can trust with the house. Our estate cleanout guide covers how to approach it respectfully.
Check the agreement of sale
Agreements of sale commonly spell out what condition the property should be in at closing and what's staying with the house. A walk-through that turns up a basement full of junk is an easy way to delay a closing or start a negotiation nobody wanted. Know what's promised and schedule the cleanout with time to spare.
For investors: buying with the contents
Properties bought at sheriff sale, from estates, or off-market often come with everything still inside. A few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure it's legally yours to clear. If a former occupant's belongings are involved, Pennsylvania has specific notice rules. See our landlord guide to abandoned property and talk to your attorney.
- Look before you haul. Old houses turn up paperwork, photos, and sometimes valuables. Set those aside.
- Watch for special items. Old paint and chemicals are hazardous waste, TVs and computers can't legally be landfilled in Pennsylvania, and old fridges contain refrigerant.
For flippers: the debris problem
Philadelphia's sanitation convenience centers don't take construction debris or commercial loads, so rehab waste has to go to a private facility. For big demolition, a dumpster is usually the right call. Keep in mind that a dumpster placed in the street needs city approval. For everything that isn't demo, like old furniture, appliances, cabinets, fixtures, and the contents of the house, a junk removal crew is usually faster than filling a dumpster yourself.
Speed matters on every side of the deal
Carrying costs don't stop while a house sits full of junk. The faster it's cleared, the faster it can be listed, inspected, rehabbed, or rented.
How we work with agents and investors
- Photos in, quote out, so you don't have to meet us at the property for a price.
- Before-and-after photos for your records or for out-of-town clients.
- One-time cleanouts, or repeat work across a portfolio. See our commercial page.
Send us the address and a few photos and we'll get you a quote.