Well, I was only on the program, Hoarders Buried Alive, for about thirty seconds–but a few friends saw the show and asked me, “Was that you on that program?”
About 6 years ago, I was fortunate to be on the show because the lead organizer who got the job asked me to help with organizing the estate sale. The producers wanted Michael to get just one room in perfect shape. I got to do something that was much more fun.
My assignment was to go through the rest of the house and get it ready for an estate sale. You can read a brief article about the show here You have to pay to watch the show on Amazon, but if you want to, you can find it here, episode number 9.
I am reposting a version of an earlier article because I have been reviewing my recommendations. One client said that since I had helped with a hoarder’s TV show, she could probably trust me with her home. And the memories started coming back.
I was glad to be given the big challenge, since I love to tackle big jobs. The client had filled a gigantic basement full of mostly high quality furniture and items that were sellable. The upstairs was stuffed pretty full of stuff also. His problem was that he was great at buying, but not so good at selling. In addition, he needed to go through a big stack of boxes which had been packed by professionals when his house flooded. He had no idea what they contained.
I could hardly walk through the basement when I first arrived. My first step was to simply try to make some paths. Why I enjoy such a challenge–I have no idea–except for the fact that when I unlock the code, I feel so satisfied.
Once I created places to walk, I had the supreme joy of putting items that were similar together. This made it easier, of course, to sell things. As I kept moving things around in a logical way, more space opened up so that similar items could be displayed in a more accessible and attractive manner.
As I made more room in the basement, I was able to bring things from the upstairs in order to make more space in the rooms on the first floor. I helped pack up items which were going to be displayed outside on the day of the estate sale. Fortunately, it was a beautiful day!
I know it takes a lot of time to really bring one room into shape, especially a kitchen which is piled high with odds and ends. So while the lead organizer worked away at her one room, I kept pushing my own limits and getting closer to the goal of being prepared for the estate sale with thousands of items needing to be dealt with. I spent minimal time with the client because he was busy with other things, and my main job was to get things out in the open so he could easily decide whether or not he wanted to sell something.
Mike was able to make those decisions, and the estate sale was a success. Since the producers did not want to pay me, Mike gave me items as a trade. I was able to hire someone to sell the stuff on Ebay so I was able to get paid. I still have the very high quality vacuum cleaner that I earned.
I enjoyed helping the production crew set up and make even more necessary space for cameras and equipment. The producer wanted to film the day of the big estate sale, and I was fortunate to be in the production briefly when I came to the client to ask a question.
I have a dream that some day I will be able to facilitate the transformation of a hoarder’s home demonstrating some of my unique methods, and showing how friends and family can help to do the job with maximum compassion and efficiency and minimum stress and emotional break down.
I feel so grateful that I had this opportunity. It was exciting to be a part of a big television production!
