We recently sold our house in the North East within a week. We put in a huge effort: repainting, fixing scuffs, deep cleaning every nook and cranny, decluttering etc while managing a 9week-old baby with no family nearby to help. So yes, it can be done.
Now, we’re house-hunting in Scotland (not Edinburgh though) and honestly shocked by the state of many properties. Even those listed for over £400k and called “immaculate” or “move-in ready.” The reality? Thick layers of grime caked into window frames, carpets stained and worn beyond belief, skirting boards coverd in dust, cobwebs dangling from ceilings, cupboard doors barely hanging on, walls covered in marks and scuffs, paint peeling off in rooms, and laundry ( including underwear) drying in a bath tub?! Seriously, no buyer wants to see that 🫣
We try to look past the surface because we know we’ll have to clean and decorate once we move in. But if sellers can’t even be bothered to deep clean before viewings, they’re not going to do it before handing over the keys. Leaving a disgusting mess for the next person is to sort out. I’d be mortified to do that to my buyers.
We haven’t made offers yet, mainly because of more fundamental issues like bad layout or garden issues, but this shocking lack of pride in presentation has made the whole process so frustrating.
Is this normal now? Or are my standards/ expectations too high?