As a realtor with Avalon Group Realty in St. Petersburg, FL, I often hear from sellers unsure about how clean their home should be before closing. One such question came from Ashley, a first-time seller, which is a common concern many of my clients face:
Ashley’s Question:
“I am a first-time home seller and closing on my new home Friday, Nov 20th. Movers are scheduled for Saturday, Nov 21st, and I have to hand the keys over to the buyers of my home by Monday, Nov 23rd. How clean are we expected to leave the current home? Obviously, we will remove everything, including trash, and sweep. I plan on leaving the kitchen and bathrooms clean. Does the house need to be spotless? I’ve been working on things like wiping the cabinets, but I don’t think I’ll have the time or energy to do a deep clean between moving and handing the keys over.”
Response:
Ashley, your question is a great one and reflects a common dilemma many home sellers face when it comes to balancing the move with leaving the house in acceptable condition for the buyers. While there is no strict rule for every situation, there are some general guidelines to follow when cleaning a house before moving out.
How Clean Should a Home Be Before You Hand Over the Keys?
You are already off to a good start by planning to remove everything and cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms. However, to ensure a smooth closing and leave the buyers with a positive impression, there are a few more tasks you might want to consider.
Aaron Hunt, the Broker at Avalon Group Realty, often advises sellers, “A good rule of thumb is to leave the house ‘broom clean’ at a minimum, but if you really want to leave a good impression, a deep clean is a nice gesture.”
While it’s not legally required in every transaction, leaving the home in a clean and tidy condition shows respect for the buyer. It’s worth thinking about how you’d want to find the house if you were the one moving in.
Customary Ways to Leave a Home Clean
Let’s break down the cleaning process to make it more manageable, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed. You don’t need to scrub every corner, but there are key areas that need attention.
Cleaning Inside the Home
- Remove all personal property: This includes not just the big items but also smaller things like leftover cleaning supplies, spare furniture, and any other personal belongings. Be sure to take everything unless you’ve made prior arrangements with the buyers.
- Vacuum and mop floors: Once the movers are done, a quick vacuum of the carpets and a mop for any tile or hardwood floors will go a long way. This simple step will make the house feel fresh.
- Wipe down kitchen surfaces: Since you’ve already planned on cleaning the kitchen, don’t forget to clean inside the refrigerator, wipe down the oven, and make sure the counters are spotless. Buyers pay close attention to the kitchen during their final walk-through.
- Scour the sinks and tubs: Bathroom sinks, tubs, and toilets should be wiped down to remove soap scum and stains. It doesn’t have to be spotless, but it should be clean.
Yvette Kim, one of our experienced realtors, adds, “In my experience, the kitchen and bathrooms are two of the most important areas to leave in good condition. A clean kitchen and bathroom make a lasting positive impression on buyers.”
Outdoor Areas Matter Too
It’s easy to focus on the inside of the home when cleaning a house before moving out, but don’t forget the exterior. While you don’t need to spend hours perfecting your lawn, a bit of attention here will help.
- Cut the grass: If you have a lawn, be sure to mow it before moving out. The yard doesn’t need to be immaculate, but it should look presentable.
- Sweep the garage and patio: Remove any debris or personal items from the garage. Make sure outdoor furniture or grills that you’re leaving behind are clean and neatly stacked.
- Dispose of trash: Don’t leave bags of garbage behind for the new owners. Make sure all trash has been disposed of before handing over the keys.
Pam Amante, another one of our expert realtors, notes, “Even if it’s not required, taking care of outdoor areas shows buyers that you’ve maintained the home. It leaves a great final impression.”
What About the Little Things?
Sometimes, it’s the little details that make the biggest difference. Before you finish up, take a walk through the home to ensure these small tasks are completed.
- Remove nails and screws: If you’ve hung pictures or shelves, take down the hardware and patch up the holes. It’s a small gesture, but it helps the walls look neat and ready for the buyers to decorate.
- Clean windows and dust fixtures: Clean the windows, dust the ceiling fans, and wipe down light fixtures. Buyers notice clean windows and light-filled rooms, so it’s worth giving these areas a little attention.
- Wipe down light switches and doorknobs: It might seem like a minor detail, but clean light switches and doorknobs can make the house feel well-maintained.
Nora Sturgill, one of Avalon Group Realty’s realtors, shares, “These small tasks often get overlooked, but they add to the overall cleanliness of the home and can make a big difference to buyers walking through.”
How Much Cleaning Is “Good Enough”?
The truth is, there’s a spectrum when it comes to how clean you should leave your home. At the bare minimum, the house should be “broom clean”, which means all personal belongings are removed, the floors are swept, and the home is free of obvious dirt and debris. This is often the standard, especially when you’re short on time.
However, some sellers like to go above and beyond. Hiring a professional cleaning service is a great way to ensure the home is spotless, especially if you’re too exhausted from the move. For example, Aaron Hunt suggests, “Spending a little extra on a cleaning service ensures that the buyers walk into a home that feels fresh and ready for them. It’s a small investment that can prevent last-minute disputes.”
If you’re concerned about time, you can always ask the buyers if they’d prefer to receive a cleaning credit at closing. In situations where the seller simply doesn’t have the energy or availability to clean after moving out, offering a few hundred dollars for professional cleaning can be a thoughtful compromise.
What Does “Broom Clean” Mean?
When it comes to cleaning a house before moving out, many sellers encounter the term “broom clean” in their contracts. So, what does this actually mean? Essentially, leaving a home in broom-clean condition refers to tidying up the property without going to the extent of a deep clean or professional cleaning.
What’s Included in Broom Clean?
Broom clean means that the floors should be swept or vacuumed, free of dirt, dust, and obvious debris. It doesn’t require extensive work like repairs, repainting, or filling in cracks. As the name implies, it involves basic cleaning — the kind you could accomplish with a broom or vacuum. Countertops and other surfaces should also be free from dirt and grime.
This standard of cleanliness doesn’t demand perfection, but rather ensures the home is neat and presentable for the new owners.
Removing Personal Items
In addition to tidying up, broom clean requires removing all personal belongings from the home. This includes:
- Furniture, rugs, and wall decorations: Even items you think the new owner might want should be removed unless explicitly requested.
- Decorative or functional items: Anything not permanently attached to the home should be taken, like extra paint cans, cleaning supplies, or bathroom tiles. It’s important not to leave behind items for the buyer to discard themselves.
As Aaron Hunt, our broker at Avalon Group Realty, often advises sellers, “A clean slate is the goal here. The buyer should enter the home as if it’s ready for them to make it their own, without remnants of the previous owner.”
No Legal Definition
It’s important to note that there is no universal legal definition of broom clean. Some contracts may refer to it as “swept clean” or “broom swept.” This leaves room for interpretation, which is why it’s crucial to clarify expectations with the buyer beforehand. For instance, should the oven be cleaned? Is defrosting the freezer part of the deal? These details should be agreed upon well before closing day to avoid any last-minute misunderstandings.
Hiring a Cleaning Service
If you find yourself in a situation like Ashley, where time and energy are running low, consider hiring a cleaning service. Professional cleaners can take care of the deep cleaning, ensuring the home is spotless without adding stress to your move.
You can find cleaning services that specialize in move-out cleans, and many will be flexible with last-minute scheduling. One of my past clients couldn’t find a cleaning service before their move, so they offered a cleaning credit to the buyers at closing. This was an appreciated gesture that saved both sides time and hassle.
Conclusion: Cleaning a House Before Moving Out
In summary, cleaning a house before moving out is essential to ensure a smooth closing process and leave the buyers happy. While it doesn’t have to be spotless, leaving the house in a broom-clean condition, with a focus on the kitchen and bathrooms, can make a significant difference. If time or energy is a concern, consider hiring a professional cleaning service or offering a cleaning credit at closing.
As Pam Amante says, “A little extra effort goes a long way in making the entire process smoother for both sides.”
Contact Us
If you have any more questions about cleaning a house before moving out or any other real estate concerns, feel free to reach out to Avalon Group Realty. We’re here to help make your home selling experience as smooth and successful as possible.
Visit our website: www.AvalonGroupTampaBay.com
Call us: 727-262-7920
Let us guide you through your real estate journey with expert advice and personalized service. We’re here to ensure your transition into your new home is seamless and stress-free!
