Has Mr. Clean retired?????

Good point. Some people are just naturally cleaner than others, but if you are trying to sell your home it needs to be a cndidate for HGTV--it doesn't have to be the cover of Better Homes and Gardens, but at least HGTV. Pleas go easy on the Febreeze though--it really irritates my allergies and asthma when people put several of them in a house.

Some listing agents here include as part of their listing services a complimentary professional housecleaning. Sounds like a good idea for whoever is listing in that subdivision you were in.

In Las Vegas, where we have a tremendous amount of new construction activity, we stress to our sellers that their home needs to be absolutely spotless inside and out to compete. The difference between clean and dirty is often several thousand dollars.

You would think that in a slowing market, Sellers would be more concerned about such things, or that the Listing Agent would counsel them accordingly.

Rich Jacobson, www.KitsapLife.com

I suggest tucking dryer sheets around the house vs. febreeze since febreeze can be so strong.

Second, make sure you have the little handy wet wipes in your car to wipe the grime off your hands after a showing!

The conditions you describe go beyond the 'family style' housekeeping where you can at least kick that pair of underwear, sunny side up, under a bed or smile at it with a buyer.  Buyers can see past neatly stacked dirty dishes.  Unmade beds and scattered laundry don't get so much of a pass.   Buyers not only are offended by the smell or scene, they are more impacted that they are sort of "window peaking" into someone else's life.

This is unsanitary and has to make you wonder if these people are serious about selling.  Not only is it unpleasant to you; it's hard on buyers.  If you are still enthusiastic about the property, you come off looking like a nut case; if you gag, it's a bad reflection of the property.

The dust bunnies don't happen overnight.  Even going through once a week, would get rid of much of the problem.  And, yes, when people want to sell, they should take the garbage to the dumpster on their way out of the subdivision.  If they made this a specfic intention, they might miss it once in awhile, but not for days on end.

Smoking is tough, but if the smokers burned a candle or lamp while they burn the tobacco, it helps get fend off that smell. Stale smoke is a real turn-off.

Sadly, you are not unique.  I've heard the same type of stories.

The sense of smell is THE most powerful sense to offend, and rarely can that be overcome.  Sellers just don't seem to understand that not only does smell impact the way a property shows but so does cleanliness, and/or lack thereof.

Dishes stacked high in the sink, filthy refrigerator and stove, unmade beds, piles of laundry, trash piled up because 'they keep forgetting to put it out'....it all speaks volumes.  They just don't get that if a potential buyer sees stuff like that during the showing, they will automatically wonder what else that they can't see hasn't been taken care of as well.

Some sellers can be their own worst enemy, and some listing agents don't seem to have what it takes to tell a seller what they need to do to get their house in showing condition.  THAT'S PART OF THE JOB!!!

Jeezzzzzzzz..........

Ann Cummings
www.AnnCummings.com

If it's "smellin," it ain't "sellin!"

That is way too funny!

Rich Jacobson, www.KitsapLife.com

Perhaps they did not have a full time, experienced realtor to guide them. Hopefully, attrition will start and we can get back to buinsess as usual. I know that realtors that showed my homes, prior to the frenzy of everyone becoming a realtor, always knew that my sellers were clean and left the home spotless.

In fact, one of my current sellers who just received an offer the day before they had the moving trucks coming (GREAT Timing), not only had a spotless home but when I went over to see the husband last night, he was busy patching walls from hanging pictures and cleaning up a storm.  Some folks have couth and others don't.

I know that I won't take some listings...I have a reputation for providing a certain standard.

Cleanliness and good smells are essential to a home sale.

We showed a house last month. The potential buyers referred to it as the "stinky house". We also showed another home listed at $699k. It reeked of moth balls. The owners were in their late 80's. We immediately left that home as well.

Candles--if you're home/plug ins with a vanilla scent/fragrance packets in your a/c filter/potpourri. Smells and cleanliness are essential!

Linnea and Jay Hanley

If at all possible, I preview the home I am going to show.  This way I can evaluate the property, prepare the buyer if necessary of its condition, and give feedback to seller's agent if I encountered major problems.