How Clean Should the House You're Selling Be? Try CLEANER THAN IT'S EVER BEEN!

Karen~~  I like it!  As clean as it's ever been!  Of course it needs to be that clean.  Q-Tip clean!!  I have never tried Shaklee.  Sounds like you are a believer in its effectiveness!  Great sink post!

Karen~Great job! I have never tried Shaklee products now you have me curious...

Karen

Great to see you back. A sparkling kitchen and bathroom makes all the difference in the wor.d

To me cleanliness is the biggest factor in selling a home. If its sparkeling clean but a little out dated they can see themselves living there while they fix it up. If not, they picture months of getting it ready TO move into.

P.S. Not only have I never tried Shaklee, I have never even heard of it. Where do you get it?

Karen: You couldn't be more right about the importance of cleanliness in homes listed. Sadly some peoples idea of clean is just not what it should be.

Karen ~  Forget the Sellers and Buyers on this one -- I like things to be squeaky clean!  I've used Amway products which are excellent; will have to try Shaklee.  Glad you're back!

Yep, but I can't tell you how many times I've had to spit and polish something in a house that a seller overlooked.  All this while my house isn't getting the same attention, because I'm working!  Thank goodness my retired husband makes sure ours gets its fair share of attention.

I've never used Shaklee products, but I have heard that they are good. I have used the Amway line which is supposed to be the same caliber of product. Well, Karen, from your "dirty sink" pic, I'd have to guess you've never been in a bank owned or HUD house! If you ever need a picture of a dirty bathroom, let me know,  The banks require I photo document EVERY room before we get them trashed out and cleaned, so I've got plenty of them. I've seen bathrooms that would scare all but the die-hard remodeler!  By the way, glad to see you back!

Excellent post and entry.  This is so true. Its such a turn off when it's dirty or worse if it smells - then, you just can't wait to get out of there!  The issue is a lot of people who live there become accustomed to the smell and they don't notice it, but everyone else does.

I suppose I should try this with my Amway products.  I remember when I had my washer repaired after owning it for 25 years.  The repairman said if I was ever to get rid of the washer he would be standing in line to purchase it because it had absolutely no rust  damage and no scum.  I told him that's because my washer has seen nothing but Amway products!!  I believe Shaklee (having been a distributor for both) is just as good. :)

Karen, great post, I love the idea that you are using non-toxic cleaning materials, creates a healthier home and saves the environment ~ Thanks, And YES a clean homes sells so so much easier.

Karen, very well said. Even if the sellers don't have the money to do the big things to help the sale, the easiest and cheapest thing to do is clean. A clean house still shows owner's pride and puts the potential buyer more at ease.

Karen, great contest post!  Aside from the bathrooms and kitchen being clean, the other thing that urks me in dog or cat hair especially when clumps of hair are piled up in the corners, under baseboards and on the stairs!  This is a real turn-off to buyers who are pet-friendly!

Karen, great advice.  I know when I stop in at an Open House that the level of cleanliness plays a big part in how I will look at it.  That first impression is so important, that it is a shame when it is ruined because the house needs cleaning.

Good Job Karen!  Very creative and informative!

Good Job Karen!  Very creative and informative!

Great post, Karen.  It's amazing how sometimes "little" things can turn off a potential buyer.  One thing I always tell my cilents - run your dishwasher or at least wipe of the INSIDE of the dishwasher.  You know how we it get's kinda icky looking as you're putting IN the dishes?  A friend of mine walked away from a house because she figured it the inside of the dishwasher was that dirty, what else was wrong? 

Karen... One should always put their best foot forward, and in this case you are right, CLEAN and odor free is the way to go.  It doesn't cost much and you can always do it yourself.

You could always have a friend come in and give you their initial opinion on the cleanliness of your home too.

I usually give my "thank you" gift after the listing contract is signed but before property is released to the market.  My gift is a one time cleaning by a professional house cleaner!  If the clients do a great job cleaning on their own, I give them a staging consultation as a gift.