You're relocating and you feel like your life is in total disarray. You repeatedly ask yourself..."will things ever be normal again?"
Boxes are piled high to the ceiling. The garage is choked with stuff and well...if walls could talk they might imitate a few choice words overheard during the past week.
Yes, you're overwhelmed. You're trying to cope with all the little details involved with moving.
When you're in the midst of a mess -- packing boxes, keeping inventory of what's in each box, cancelling the Cable-TV service, forwarding your mail to the new address, collecting your medical records from the pediatrician, cardiologist, family practitioner and veterinarian, you've got one thing on your mind.
The impending move! How will everything get done by moving day?
The last thing you're thinking about is cleaning your house and leaving it looking as if no one had ever lived in it.
I understand.
I'm a Realtor.
I watch people go through the process every day, week and month throughout the year. Regardless of whether I am representing the buyer or seller, I know what you're going through. I do my best to offer constructive suggestions on how best to cope and get it all done in an organized fashion. It's no secret the moving process is exhausting for the whole family -- kids, adults, grandma and pets too.
Don't let yourself get so exhausted that you forget to leave your home looking clean, spit shinned and polished for the new home-owners who will be moving in to your "old" home.
When everything is finally moved out and the moving van is leaving your driveway, you've still got work to do. You need to decide if you're going to do the cleaning yourself or hire a cleaning service to clean up after you leave, making the home ready for the next family.
Think about it. Will the new buyers of your home feel Welcome? Can they move in immediately or will they have to roll up their sleeves, put on haz-mat suits, grab the Pine-sol and start to chip away at your remaining DNA? Can the new buyers feel safe in putting food immediately into the refrigerator or will they have to clean up old cracked eggs in the egg compartment of the door? Is the micro-wave clean or will the new buyers find themselves cleaning up a caked-on mess from a week ago last Thursday? What condition did you leave the stove top and oven in? Is the oven screaming for mercy from a recently exploded souffle? Does the stove top demand attention from a boiled over mess?
What about the windows? Are they gleaming and ready for birds from the Windex commercial or are they streaked with years of dirty film, smoke and dust prohibiting a view to the outside world. How 'bout the bathrooms? Are the vanities plastered with strands of hair from you comb? Is your DNA plastered on the counter tops, shower, tube and toilet? How 'bout the mirror? Is there evidence of toothpaste stains and splatters from the last time your husband flossed his teeth? Are huge cob-webs hanging from the chandelier in your dining room or two-story foyer? I hope I'm painting the picture for you. These are just a few of the scenes I've witnessed during the past week.
This may sound gross, but believe me, I am repeatedly shocked at the condition that some people leave their homes in as they walk out the door. Evidently they're thinking...out of sight out of mind.
This column is inspired by situations that I run into every day. This week, I have walked through two properties of people who want me to list and market their homes for sale. Both home owners have moved on and relocated to other states. Even after our discussions of what "clean" means, their homes are still not ready to be listed and marketed for sale. And, they've already moved on! In their absence and neglect of responsibility, I will require these homeowners to hire a cleaning service to complete what should have been accomplished before these folks moved and before I put a sign in the yard.
I'll say it again! Home buyers can afford to be picky these days. If your home is not in ship shape, there is no point in listing it for sale. Buyers are looking for any reason to "low-ball" an offer. The offer you receive on your property will be dependant (in a large part) on the condition you leave it in. If you are incapable of cleaning and preparing your home for sale, you must get a cleaning service. Likewise, if you have already sold and closed on your home, please be responsible and leave your home in a positive condition. After all, it all reflects back on you -- the original owner.
Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara works with home buyers and sellers and helps each conquer the moving process. Sara Hibbard is easily reached at 404-660-2481 or via e-mail at Sara@SaraHibbard.com. Visit Sara's social media sites at www.Facebook.com/GeorgiaRealEstateOnMyMind, www.YouTube.com/GeorgiaRealEstate1 and Blogs at www.GeorgiaRealEstateOnMyMind.Blogspot.com and www.AtlantaMLSHomesBlog.com. Sara Hibbard's website's are located at www.SaraHibbard.com and www.SaraHibbardRealEstate.com. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate is on your Mind!
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