It's Never Been Cleaner!

The sales contract in my jurisdiction statesthat prior to settlement, the property must have all of the contents removed and it should be left in "broom clean" condition.  What's fascinating to me is how many times I have to define what "broom clean" means.

Yes, Mr. Seller you have to empty out that hard to reach storage space in the attic.

Yes, Ms. Seller you have to take those old bookcases out of the garage.  You can't leave them just because you don't want them any more.

Yes, please clean out ALL of the cabinets, no one wants any of your old spices.

So I explain all of this many times...during the listing presentation, when they accept an offer AND before the final walk through...and I still get questions.  No, you don't have to have professional cleaners come in, just make sure all of the contents are removed and that the property is "broom clean"...swept and clean.

Well, one of my funniest stories was a couple with three small children.  When I went on the listing appointment their house was a complete wreck.  We went over everything they needed to do to get the house on the market and they did just about everything.  All in all, the house looked pretty good, not as clean as I would have liked, but okay.  After about 3 weeks on the market they accepted an offer and purchased a new place.  As always, I reminded them that they needed to remove everything and to make sure the house was "broom clean".

So guess what happens when I show up for the final walk through?  There is junk in the attic and trash and dust throughout the entire house...with a little food left in the fridge for good measure.  I call my client to see when they will be returning to the property to finish cleaning.  Much to my surprise my client responds with "What do you mean? The house has never been cleaner!

What could I say?  He was probably right, the house has probably never been cleaner, but it still wasn't clean.  I have come to realize that everyone has a different definition of clean.  My advice, if you have a listing where the owners don't look like they are familiar with the term "housework", you may want to let them know what "clean" means...don't assume they know.