[This article was originally published in December 2016 and has been revised and expanded.]

Foreclosure cleanouts are bad enough, but having to clean out a property in winter can be a challenge. But you don't have to do it all yourself.

No one likes to work in the rain. Or the snow and cold. But prepping a foreclosed property for the market can happen at any time of year, including winter. And it can be a big job.

Foreclosure Cleanouts Often Require Junk Removal

Not only is there normal house cleaning to be done, but many time there are large amounts of abandoned property and trash that has be hauled out and disposed of.

Despite being a competent and thorough real estate professional, cleaning out foreclosed homes is probably NOT one of the chores you relish in your job. But it has to be done and someone has to do it.

Fortunately, there are very effective and affordable options that you can consider when dealing with foreclosure cleanouts and junk hauling needs. And, while you could certainly just hire a guy with a truck to come out and load up all the rubbish, debris, and junk, this isn't always the safest nor really the most cost-effective approach. 

Why risk your real estate deal with potential liability issues over something as seemingly simple and straightforward as junk removal? In other words, going with an established and reputable firm that is insured and bonded is really the only way to go with foreclosure cleanout junk removal. 

Cleaning Foreclosures in Winter Can Be A Delegated Task

Cleaning out an abandoned property can be one of the more costly tasks that lenders and real estate agents must take on. Because some prior residents of foreclosed properties leave in a hurry, or are angry for losing their home, they often leave large amounts of trash and sometimes cause extensive damage to the inside of the house.

Because this is a scenario that tends to be the rule rather than the exception, when a property becomes vacant, it usually is not simply a matter of showing the home to prospective buyers. Instead, unlike a typical residential property for sale, there are a number of chores that must be completed before the property is in a marketable state.

Strategic Planning for Winter Foreclosure Clean Outs

Too often, the clean out part of the foreclosure process is approached haphazardly, or without any real planning. Occasionally, little or nothing is done by the former owners or residents. This, of course, leaves the task to be handled by the busy real estate professional!

Here are three tips for effective foreclosure cleanouts:

Restoring the outside appearance of the property.

Keeping the exterior of the property clean and uncluttered helps maintain the property values of the immediate community. Determine what needs to be done first. Landscape maintenance can be challenging in winter, but mowing, weed eating, and trimming will improve the appearance of the lawn. And because a property is often in the foreclosure process for many months,  someone needs to care for the property and residence throughout.

Consider what's needed beyond cleaning windows and carpets.

Many times there may be abandoned vehicles that will need to be towed away. More likely, however, there will be piles of debris in the house, in the garage, or in the yard or storage sheds that will need to be hauled away. This does not have to be a DIY project for a real estate professional. This is where you want to enlist the help of a professional hauling firm like Junk King.

You should also repair any broken windows or blinds and keep the area facing the street neat and clean. This is a very important part of the property preservation process, especially in the winter, because it will help discourage the house from being used by homeless people looking for shelter. 

The interior of the house can require a great deal of cleaning and hauling.

You may have to remove stained or torn carpets, repair broken tiles or lighting fixtures, and even bring in pest terminators. Because there is often large amounts of junk and debris left by the vacated prior residents, the help of a  junk hauling firm is in order at this stage. Junk removal must occur before proper cleaning can be started, but once all of this work is finished, the lender can begin to show the property.

Of course, there can certainly be a number of other cleaning, repair, and maintenance tasks that must be done with a foreclosed property. Much of this is determined by the overall condition of the house and the extent of any damage or wear and tear. 

However, whether minor repairs are considered necessary or not, cleaning out any junk, rubbish, debris, and abandoned items is always a necessity. And the good news is that this particular task does not have to be done of the real estate professional.

Winter is Here and the Property Has to be Cleaned and Ready

In many parts of the country, the effects of winter weather can be devastating for unattended properties. In addition to the hauling and disposal work needed to cleanout foreclosures, prepping an abandoned home a harsh winter is a strategic part of the process. Even in today's real estate market, a foreclosed property can remain unsold for months.

The is a job than can involve inspecting all of the utilities such as the electricity, gas and water, testing any appliances and checking the electrical breakers. To avoid the possibility of water damage, you should also test and inspect toilets, drains and washing machines, dishwashers and any other appliance that uses water.

Drain the pipes to clear any debris and check for leaks from water left in the pipes which may freeze and damage the plumbing. Once this completed you may want to turn off the water main and then turn on every faucet and water fixture to drain the pipes. Flush toilets until they will not flush again. Remember to turn faucets back off after you drain the water. Otherwise, the house could flood once the water is turned back on! 

Your Partners for Junk Removal and Foreclosure Clean Outs

Once you decide to outsource the trash removal part of your foreclosure clean out project, you need to determine which firm is the right one for the job. And while you can certainly find plenty of guys with trucks willing to do the job, that alternative may end up costing you more than you hoped to save.

That is why Junk King really is the firm of choice.

Junk King is the leading business to business junk removal service in North America and our real estate junk removal services take care of this cleanout process for you. It’s one big task off your to-do list and it’s a big step toward getting your property ready to sell or rent.

Speed, Reliability and Quality Service

We understand that as a real estate professional you need your homes to be pristine and you want to be able to list them as quickly as you can. We also understand that you appreciate hassle-free services and really can’t afford to have problems with a property. And your clients have enough to deal with when selling a home, so having the chore of junk removal handled by someone else is a huge bonus.

Junk King offers fast and friendly junk hauling with an emphasis on eco-friendly practices. We recycle or donate 60 percent or more of the junk we collect — including renovation debris, furniture and appliances, and even clothing and personal items. Real estate ventures can proudly call Junk King their green partner for real estate junk removal.

Junk King Foreclosure Cleanout Services are Real Estate Ready

We are insured and offer post-escrow payment. Junk King handles junk removal services for real estate professionals across the U.S. and we are the highest rated service brand in the nation. You can depend on Junk King for speed, reliability and for the peace of mind that comes with getting your property ready fast.

Our team specializes in large waste removal and trash hauling. We can be on location in mere minutes, so call us today! Our crew is fully insured and well-trained, so you can trust them to get rid of your unwanted items in a professional and courteous fashion.

One of the best things about hiring Junk King is that we recycle much of the material we pick-up. This is proof of our commitment to being an eco-friendly removal service. If you have questions about what we do or what we believe, give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK (5865).