How much cleaning/tidying up would you do before an open house when the occupants left the home in less than stellar condition and you don't want to show it "as is"?

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Martin E. Kalisker, Esq., Real Estate Law From A Practical Perspective

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Bob Crane

Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI

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As much as needed.

Jan 01, 2018 09:54 PM

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Bob Crane

Stevens Point, WI

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John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Just another reason not to do open houses.

Jul 31, 2015 02:19 AM

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John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque, NM

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The Woodland Team of Texas

The Woodland Companies - Austin, TX

Land Specialists

Get cleaning.

Oct 11, 2018 12:36 AM

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Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers

Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ

Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

John McCormack nailed this one!

Aug 27, 2016 09:21 PM

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Harry F. D'Elia III

WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ

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I would spend 30 minutes to make sure it is presentable.

Jul 31, 2016 10:55 PM

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Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

If it's really bad, I will cancel the open house. Otherwise, I'll do what it takes to clean it up as best I can.

Jul 31, 2015 04:26 AM

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Andy Madrid

Hawaii Coast Realty, LLC - Kailua-Kona, HI

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I expect the sellers to have the house presentable. That being said, I often have a home that is vacant but staged. In that case I call the seller and confirm that they have had the house vacuumed and dusted. I may pick up odds and ends, the errant newspaper on the front porch but nothing else. My time is valuable and they are paying me to sell their home, not clean it.

Jul 31, 2015 04:12 AM

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Ed Macias

Real Estate Teammates - Miami, FL

Miami FL-REO Property Management Multifamily

As best as possible

Jul 31, 2015 03:43 AM

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Tamra Lee Ulmer

Arizona Resource Realty - Payson, AZ

NRBA ~FORCE~ Over 1000 REO Assets SOLD!

Shouldn't have to do any. I tell the Seller, always, to keep the home nice and tidy if they really want to sell the home, and before an open house is held. Now if the weather is bad, rainy or muddy, etc..I may keep a broom with me in the car for a quick sweep down at the entry way.

Jul 31, 2015 03:34 AM

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Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School

Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL

Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

None.

Jul 31, 2015 03:05 AM

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Stefan Winter

Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV

Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

No more then 30 minuets. I have to really like the seller to be their maid.

Jul 31, 2015 01:39 AM

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Wayne Zuhl

Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ

The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Some homes require more tidying up than others. I don't do a big clean, but I do pick up clutter and put it in a laundry basket. I've also been known to pick up dog poop from backyards.

Jul 31, 2015 01:29 AM

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Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041

ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL

Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

If the cleaning/tidying can be done in the available time, I will 'git r done."

If not I will solicit feedback specifically regarding the presentation of the house. If the buyers DO care, the feedback will reflect the same.

It is important to understand the specific and intended purpose of THAT open house. If the PURPOSE was to 'get more listings' it should be clear a great change would be necessary which may or may not include an SOS to those who know me.

Jul 31, 2015 01:26 AM

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Susan Emo

Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON

Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Should I ever hold an Open House (doubtful) I would make sure I arrived early enough to meet with the Sellers and have them clean their own home prior to leaving! I set expectations very high and at the signing of the listing agreement. There is no room for messy with my listings.

Jul 31, 2015 01:01 AM

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Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Sometimes you just need to do what is necessary.

Or leave it like the owners left it and and allow prospects to form their own opinions.

Jul 31, 2015 01:01 AM

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Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS

Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA

South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I have spent up to 1/2 hour doing dishes and vacuuming and of course stuffing things in closets...

Jul 31, 2015 12:56 AM

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If it's really bad, I will cancel the open house. Otherwise, I'll do what it takes to clean it up as best I can.
I expect the sellers to have the house presentable. That being said, I often have a home that is vacant but staged. In that case I call the seller and confirm that they have had the house vacuumed and dusted. I may pick up odds and ends, the errant newspaper on the front porch but nothing else. My time is valuable and they are paying me to sell their home, not clean it.
Shouldn't have to do any. I tell the Seller, always, to keep the home nice and tidy if they really want to sell the home, and before an open house is held. Now if the weather is bad, rainy or muddy, etc..I may keep a broom with me in the car for a quick sweep down at the entry way.
No more then 30 minuets. I have to really like the seller to be their maid.
Some homes require more tidying up than others. I don't do a big clean, but I do pick up clutter and put it in a laundry basket. I've also been known to pick up dog poop from backyards.
If the cleaning/tidying can be done in the available time, I will 'git r done."

If not I will solicit feedback specifically regarding the presentation of the house. If the buyers DO care, the feedback will reflect the same.

It is important to understand the specific and intended purpose of THAT open house. If the PURPOSE was to 'get more listings' it should be clear a great change would be necessary which may or may not include an SOS to those who know me.
Should I ever hold an Open House (doubtful) I would make sure I arrived early enough to meet with the Sellers and have them clean their own home prior to leaving! I set expectations very high and at the signing of the listing agreement. There is no room for messy with my listings.
Sometimes you just need to do what is necessary.

Or leave it like the owners left it and and allow prospects to form their own opinions.
I have spent up to 1/2 hour doing dishes and vacuuming and of course stuffing things in closets...