Selling a house and getting ready for a move is time consuming and trying to keep a spotless house is tough. But it really is worth the effort – a cleaner home will usually sell faster than a dirty one. Buyers look at homes with filthy rugs, marred walls and scummy showers and all they see is more work, time and expense. Not only is it a financial turn off, but the yuk factor comes into play. Who wants someone else’s bacteria and viruses? If they walk down your basement steps that their tennis shoes stick to the stair treads, its a giant turn off.
OK, let’s say your house was pretty clean, it sold, and you are ready to move out. How clean should the house be when you close the front door for the last time? This part gets a little tricky because states have different real estate contracts and different requirements, some of which are vague and wide open to different interpretations. Oregon’s contract uses the term “broom clean” which is what appears in the actual purchase agreement. Basically that means the sellers’ trash is gone, floors are vacuumed, bathrooms and kitchens are clean. The house should be at least as clean as the day the sale was closed. But again, common sense on the part of the buyer and seller should be the guide. You probably will need more than a broom. Don’t leave your house filthy for the new buyer. Your reputation is at stake.
Enough said —- CLEAN YOUR HOUSE. And if you don’t know what “clean” is, then hire a cleaning team to do a deep clean for you. There are some really great cleaning companies in Portland. Need a referral? We have you covered.
