Sellers - How Should you Leave your Home for the Buyer?

I'd never truly thought of the t.p.; and I'd think a spare roll of paper towels isnt' bad either.  All I've got to do now is somehow get those, nicely, into their welcome basket.

I love this post and it is so deserving of a feature - I am bookmarking it too for my sellers! 

Hi Joan,

I'm with you on this one and always tell my sellers save yourself some grief and hire a professional to clean..you'll be too tired and you'll know it will be left in excellent shape for your new buyer!

This is often handled by the buying requesting the title company to charge a fee of the cost of cleaning and hauling junk away to the seller's side of the HUD-1.

Joan - this is great stuff!  I sometimes see houses left in very messy conditions by sellers.  And sometimes buyers can be unrealistic.

But a cleaning crew upon leaving is always a classy move.

Great list for home sellers, Joan!

Joan, saw this reblogged on Praful's blog.  It does seem funny how some sellers take all the toilet paper...why take it at all!

I wish all sellers would do the things you have suggested.  Unfortunately, too often that is not the case.

Thanks much for the useful suggestions Joan. I am well aware of the consequences of dealing with these types of issues even with rentals.

Last year my daughter's single tenant died unexpectedly and we had to get the place ready for the next tenant. Got absolutely no help from the deceased's family. Had to get legal releases from the heirs to dispose of the personal property including a car. Then had to clean the place and do a few minor repairs. Fortunately, the security deposit defrayed most of the costs. It was a week of pure hell.

Joan so true, a great way to welcome the new buyer on move in day.

Good Friday morning Joan Cox -

Excellent information for ALL to read and retain.  We have sellers right now who have moved out of state and we've been making trips to get trash to the street and out of the garage before closing.  Don't leave your stuff behind.  

Sometimes all the seller is thinking about is getting out.  As agents to sellers, it is our responsibility to remind our clients of the importance of leaving the home in "move-in" ready condition.  We (agents) want good karma too!

Years ago, some rather deadbeat sellers vacated, moved out of state and left the property in an unbelievable state - filthy dirty & totally covered with their discards & debris.  

The other agent and I (luckily we worked together in the same office) split the cost of removal & cleanup so the buyers wouldn't have to deal with it.

Great post! Some need to be reminded. Leave it as if a deposit were at stake.

Hi Joan,

Just read the re-blog Debbie Reynolds posted.  Thanks for the great reminders.  It's sad how many times these little, yet powerful things go unfinished.

Oh my, how many times have I been called out to a home where sellers left behind unwanted and ridiculous items.  Including that sofa in the basement!

Hi Joan, there seems to be some doubt in sellers minds about these things so this post should help them. When in doubt, it's always appropriate to ask first before leaving things behind.

Good Monday morning Joan Cox -

You have shared some great information on how sellers should leave their homes for the new owners.  I like the "Do unto others" thinking on this one.

Sad it even needs to be written about.

Condition was fine when we moved into our home, except the previous owners had taken the bathroom mirror with them. Luckily I was planning on replacing it anyways.