A little cleaning goes a long way

Selling a house can be a tricky. There are so many factors that can influence a potential buyer’s decision. One of the top factors is cleanliness. Many buyers have a hard time seeing past dirt and filth when they are looking at a house, and some sellers aren’t always keen to keep the house clean for showings. Here are a few tricks that can help realtors encourage sellers to put a little extra effort into cleaning the house before showings.

1. Give them plenty of notice. If you know you have a seller who has a harder time keeping the house clean, then make sure you schedule viewings appropriately. Give them enough notice so that they’ll have time to get the toys put away and do a quick cleaning.

2. Make sure they know what to do! Some people just have different standards of cleanliness. Dirty dishes left out and dirty laundry piled up are normal for some people. When you are working with a client, give them a checklist of basics that should be met when you have a viewing. This way they will know what isn’t acceptable.

3. Recommend a cleaning service. It’s always a good idea to find a great cleaning service to recommend to your clients. They’ll be relieved that they don’t have to do it all themselves, and it will help you know that the house is ready to go.

Remember that everyone has different cleanliness standards, and that’s okay. You know what is acceptable for viewings, and your role is to gently encourage your clients to meet that standard. If they don’t, then your role is to help the buyers see beyond the mess to the potential beneath!