Closing day can be a high-pressure 24 hours, especially if you need to be out of your current home and into the new one the same day. No one can blame you for wanting to get the silly things out of the way, so you can focus on getting settled. If you have kids, there seems to be even more pressure to get the house feeling like home to make the transition easier for them. A common question from home buyers is if they can have access to the home prior to closing, in order to get it cleaned and ready for the movers. Now, the rule of thumb for sellers is that they’re to leave the house “broom clean” for the buyers. The state of the home at closing is included in the purchase contract. Of course, people’s opinions of clean vary and it’s not always as good as you would like it for move-in.
We also know that certain listings, especially foreclosures, can be neglected while sitting on the market for many months. It’s not unheard of to walk into a house to find it with a layer of dust or remnants leftover from contractors winterizing the home or making needed repairs. It can also happen when you buy “as-is”.
However, as much as a listing agent or seller wish to make life easier for you, it just isn’t a good idea to provide access prior to closing or the deed being recorded. There are just too many “what if’s” due to a lack of liability insurance and just plain bad luck. There is a rare, exception, but that’s usually prepared for with an extra contract or addendum to the contract. But, for a regular purchase, there is a workaround!
With the help of your real estate agent, you can make arrangements to have a professional clean the home for you prior to closing, if timing allows. Professional cleaners usually carry insurance for accidents that happen on the job. You’ll also know that your home is being prepared to a certain level of expertise. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that the seller isn’t having the home professionally cleaned themselves. Sometimes sellers don’t want the added responsibility for cleaning the home, so they pay someone else to do it. If that’s the case, you’re in luck!
If you’re in need of a few names for professional cleaners, send us a message through our Contact page or give us a call! We have a list of people that we use often and are happy to share.
