What’s Hiding in Grandma’s House? How to Handle Surprises in Inherited Property

Inheriting a home might feel like a blessing — until you open the door and discover 40 years of unopened mail, three broken vacuum cleaners, and maybe even a surprise rodent roommate.

Inherited properties often come with surprises — emotional and physical. Here’s how to handle a home that’s frozen in time, cluttered with memories, and in desperate need of a plan.

1. Walk Through the Home — Emotionally and Practically

Before you bring in a dumpster or start throwing things away, do a full walk-through. Take photos. Make a list. Bring a family member for support. Grief, nostalgia, and shock often hit the hardest in this moment.

🧠 Pro tip: Don’t start cleaning right away. Take time to absorb the space — it may contain personal items, financial documents, or valuables that shouldn’t be tossed in haste.

2. Identify What to Keep, Donate, Trash — Or Sell

Use the Three Pile System:

• Keep: Documents, photos, heirlooms, sentimental items

• Donate: Clothing, books, some furniture

• Trash: Broken, expired, or damaged items

🛑 Real-Life Example: A family I worked with discovered $10,000 in cash hidden in cereal boxes in the pantry — along with stacks of newspaper from 1978. The cleanout took weeks, but they nearly tossed real money without realizing it.

3. Consider Professional Help

If the home is extremely cluttered (think: borderline hoarding), it’s often cheaper and faster to hire a clean-out crew, junk hauler, or estate sale company. They can:

• Organize and sell usable items

• Haul trash and debris

• Deep-clean for listing prep

📦 Bonus Tip: Some companies work for a percentage of sales instead of an upfront fee.

4. Check for Health Hazards

Mold. Asbestos. Animal infestations. These things can delay — or derail — your home sale. Have a professional inspect the home if:

• There’s visible water damage

• The home’s been vacant for a long time

• You smell musty odors or see signs of pests

5. Prepare for the Listing

After the clean-out:

• Stage key areas (kitchen, living room, primary bedroom)

• Hire a professional photographer

• Work with a real estate agent who specializes in inherited property

🔗 Want the full clean-out checklist, plus tips on estate sales, insurance, and staging for sale?
👉 Grab my free inherited property guide here.