Has anyone had to clean out a parent's hoarder house and property?

I sorted out my FIL's condo and did it all by myself, once the "big" items had been claimed.

I did it for no pay, zip, zero, nada. BIL said the only way he'd be on board with me flipping the condo was if I DID NOT charge the estate. But, he took his 3% commission from the sale, of course. (Hard not to be a little bitter about all that).

You cannot go into this with any sense of sentimentality at all. Probably why, as an in law, nothing held any value to me.

I'd say that 90% of his belongings were garbage, literally.

When/ if mother ever goes, same thing will apply. 90% of her treasures are worthless--and what's worse than it being worthless, is the fact it takes up SPACE she needs to maneuver around. I gave up trying to help her few years ago and I haven't been inside her apartment for almost a year. The smell that emanates from her place as she opens the door to come into the common living room just knocks me over.

I often wonder if we, a different generation, is 'better' at this not hoarding thing. We always excuse our 90+ yo parents on the fact they lived through the Depression, but I don't buy that. My grandma kept an immaculate and fairly spare home. If she didn't have room for something, she didn't keep it.

I've helped to varying degrees with several cleanouts. In one of those, the woman's sons were so overcome that all they could do was sit on the floor and "sort" old family photos. Eventually, they pitched in a little more but there was an ever-growing pile of things they could not decide upon and I don't even know what the final disposition was for many things in that pile. I was able to help keep the cleanout moving to some degree and I think that's why they asked me to be there, but I felt like the bad guy and I've had guilt ever since. I did hire a junk hauler out of desperation and lack of anyone having a better idea. Didn't help that an unstable family member piped up and claimed to have been storing items at the house. I guess be careful where you store your stuff, but sons said family all knew about the cleanout so I'm thinking the ranting/raving was just for show and there was no real loss. Lots of drama, however. It's nuts to be accused of not caring when I was there basically as an unpaid volunteer. Family was in such dysfunction that I was essentially in charge. Wow. From all accounts, this family is still not much better. It's been years. Whether it's right or wrong, people sure get upset about belongings.

I sold the house as is. My folks were not hoarders, but they were collectors. Yes, I left a huge house with very valuable antiques, but my buyers recognized that and the deal was pretty easy to negotiate - I just held firm on the price. I did feel guilty, but then realized that if my parents wanted the stuff to be handed down or sold then they should have done it. I've got too much of my own life to deal with.

If I was in your shoes I would hire someone to empty it. My mom hS dementia, but dad is of sound mind, he has given me carte blanc to start purging junk and unnecessary things from the house. I have been doing a cupboard, closet and drawer at a time. It is amazing what I am finding. The house is not cluttered but every drawer and available cabinet was/is full. I found 4 brand new wrapped fry pans. Curtains, bed linens and table cloths still in the original package. I have cleaned out 2 spare rooms so far and a few kitchen cabinets. A lot more to do. When I go over to tend to mom, a few days a week I tackle a new area.