Should I ask for a professional cleaning of a home I am buying?
Sometimes in the terms, people can ask for a house to be professionally cleaned prior to possession. You could say something like, “Seller will have the home professionally cleaned for a minimum of 12 hours”. However, all houses are different, and some will require more time than others, and a level of cleanliness is hard to quantify. Sometimes doing deep cleaning of appliances, floors, shower doors, etc, can take much more time.
There is a line in the purchase contract that says:
“The seller represents and warrants that on Completion Day, the property will be in substantially the same condition as when this contract was accepted.”
So you can expect the house to be in the same condition on possession day, as it was when you saw it, minus the possessions of the owners or tenants.
Sometimes asking for a house to be cleaned in a purchase contract can backfire. You can ask for a cleaning, the seller provides receipts, and you are not happy with the job. Or you can ask for the house to be cleaned, and the seller feels insulted, and counters back with a much higher price than if you had not asked for the cleaning.
Generally, if the house is clean when you view it, those sellers will make an extra effort for it to be clean when they leave, whether it is written in the contract or not. Some people automatically shampoo the carpets.
As a buyer, If you are concerned about the cleanliness of a house, it is better to plan ahead and do the job yourself upon possession. That way you know you will be satisfied with the job. You will be able to negotiate a better price on the home if you do not ask for professional cleaning, (or carpets being shampooed or duct cleaning).
As a seller, having as clean of a house as possible when selling is going to get you a quicker sale and a better price. If you need some help, hiring some cleaners prior to and even during the listing is always a good investment. (Preparing your house for sale).
If the house is vacant and full of garbage, or unwanted items, in that case you may want to clarify that all debris in the house, yard, and garage be removed.
However you decide is up to you. Be sure to ask your REALTOR® for advice.
What happens on possession day?
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