I have been going out house shopping with a Buyer who has a professional cleaning background.  In each house the Buyer pulled back the shower curtain or opened the shower doors and checked for mould and mildew around the tub or shower stall.  While the Buyer was fully prepared to scrub the new house from top to bottom after getting possession, the evidence of mould and mildew was just an indication of how much work she would have to do.  I asked her for some tips and she recommended bleach to get rid of the spores. 

I found instructions on eHow giving a step by step process to get rid of the mould.  My Buyer suggested testing a bit of bleach on the tub or shower stall.  Some acrylic material turns a bit yellow when exposed to bleach.  If this happens, try using Comet (in the green can), made into a bit of paste.  Leave it on and then using a brush, scrub the Comet off after an hour or so.   

While a resale home it not new, Sellers should work very hard to get the house as clean and presentable as possible. 

A Buyer wants a clean house as a minimum requirement.  

 Photo credit:  Shower curtain

When everything is coming your way - you are in the wrong lane.

 

Valerie Zinger  valeriezinger@gmail.com 

Ottawa, Canada      613-859-7759

 

 
This post has been included in Ontario Real Estate News

11 Comments on Bathtub Mould and Mildew - Post 200

JAN
04
2011
936,930 Points 74 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This should be a common sense issue, but we know that's not always the case.  I've shown homes that are otherwise pristine only to get to the master bathroom and see mold/mildew/mess that scared away my buyers.  It's been my experience, the higher up the price scale, the less likely buyers are to accept issues like this...they expect the home to be thoroughly cleaned, especially the bathrooms/kitchen.
8:25am • #1
227,466 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Valerie, I agree.  I've always said that, generally speaking, kitchens and bathrooms sell houses.
8:37am • #2
227,559 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Valerie - Mold and mildew in the bathroom - such a turnoff! Not only is it unsightly and a bit smelly, but it really makes the bathroom a place to potentially kill a sale. There's just something about other people's lack of cleanliness in this room that has a really high Ick factor.

Great post, great tips, and great photo!
8:41am • #3
184,332 Points Called Shot Master

Good morning Valerie, They have miracle eraser that works really good. I sometime just do it myself if the house empty. I also have it in tips to help sell you home that I give to the seller at the signing.
9:58am • #4
409,092 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Valerie - We always recommend that sellers clean their house (or have it cleaned) until it's Q-Tip clean!  A home for sale needs to be splotless.  A little bit of elbow grease can go a long way.
11:10am • #5
544,821 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I am having AR Server problems so may not get responses out on your comments today. 
11:52am • #6

I come across this situation a bit more than I'd like.  I try to preview houses before showing and if I see mold/mildew, I try to remedy it before the showing.  But, often there's not enough time.  The seller may say they'll take care of it, but it's still a major turn off for the buyers.
11:55am • #7
544,821 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Okay - here is my third try at the responses to your comments - which have been so good.....

Anita:  If you are going to spend a half of a million dollars or more, you want clean.  Of course, you want clean at $75,000 too but your expectations may not be as high.  Good point Anita. 

Joyce:  Kitchen and bathrooms are where we think the possibility of hygene is ultra important and germs breed. 

Judy:  Thank you so much.  I love that photo.  When I found it on Flickr for this post I was so happy.

Arleen and Tracey:  Is that the Mr. Clean eraser?  Works but not all the time for me.  Also NEVER use it on a painted wall - it polishes the surface (okay maybe I scrubbed too hard).

 
1:37pm • #8
544,821 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Sally:  Q-Tip clean.  I really like that expression. 

Kimberly:  It is a real turn-off.  Sometimes the only way to get it out of caulking to to remove the caulking and start over. 
1:38pm • #9
JAN
10
2011
548,445 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I always discuss preparation of a client's home in advance of marketing it.  And have seen the results that clients have obtained after preparing and maintaining their home for sale.  Imho, it is definitely worth the effort.
9:04am • #10
544,821 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Chris:  In my humble opinion too. 
12:55pm • #11


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