We’d eventually take over a house the bank had repossessed, that someone had left in a hurry, taking the stove and the fridge on his way out and tossing what food he still had in the sink.
The second time through, we still weren’t entirely sure, but that certainly didn’t stop me from taking along a few things to clean up a house I didn’t yet own, gathering up the worst of the garbage, soaking the kitchen with Lysol, and doing what little I could to get rid of the stink of the previous owner before the heat kicked in.Images from Between Heaven and Hell by Jacek Yerka, 1989.
Added to the Mag—162.
ReplyDeleteHaving a bit of deja vu ~~ Bought a home I had to clean top to bottom ~~ something similar to what you describe! Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteI like how you zoomed in on one particular detail and wrote about that.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a few months to replace the scent of the former owners...
ReplyDeleteAdded to ABC Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteJust focus on the "deal" you made and make this house into a hoMe.
ReplyDeleteLeslie
abcw team
At least now you are sure things are in order before moving in!!
ReplyDeleteNot my favorite thing... moving or cleaning up after someone else. I can smell the Lysol...you did a good job. Enjoyed the images!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness you guys are brave!!! Hope you can see a real transformation come to life.
ReplyDeleteAnn
I just can never comprehend why people do that to homes.
ReplyDeleteYou are brave and I hope the smells leave quickly.
it takes vision ... wishing you much luck!
ReplyDeleteMoving is very un-fun, especially when you have to deal with such a Mess! But it sounds like you are on your way to making a home - best wishes!
ReplyDeleteNever could happen here in Belgium unless the house owner escaped to somewhere. A house for sale has to be without any furniture and other stuff and has to be completely empty.
ReplyDeleteWe bought a home like this, and replacing the -odd- things they had taken with them (like door handles, sink, bathroom cabinets, etc.)proved to be a lot more expensive than we thought. I don't regret it though:)
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your move.
ReplyDeleteMotherhood
Making my rounds for letter M.
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
Enjoy your post here, in the past when I used to rent and on one occasion I made the mistake of moving into a little house by not putting in a cleaning deposit, the landlord at the time was all way too excepting not to charge me a cleaning deposit, little did I known what was waiting for me once I had moved on in...the person before me left that place a true mess indeed.
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