To think that there is no such thing as too clean and tidy

[NoRoomForALittleOne]

Our house went on the market just before Christmas. We were happy with the photos having put in a lot of effort to make sure it was ‘show home tidy’. We have six dc so this wasn’t a small task but we managed it and still had cupboards that had space. My parents came to stay for Christmas and made lots of negative comments about the photos looking like no-one lived in the house and the house being “too clean”. My MiL phoned whilst my parents were staying and kept on making comments over and over again about “where did you hide all your stuff?” She then shared pictures of the five bed house that she is buying with her new dp. I hadn’t realised they were buying such a large house for the two of them and expressed surprise. I will concede that it’s absolutely none of my business and they can buy any size house they like. I hope they are very happy there. But the comments continued from both sets of parents about our house being too clean and tidy and how we didn’t have stuff on show as though we should be ashamed of this. We’ve now accepted an offer above the asking price for the house and this seems to have upset the parents. I don’t get it. Surely there is no such thing as ‘too clean and tidy’? The dc are allowed toys out. We just tidy up every so often.

Well if your house is clean and tidy to the extent that no one feels comfortable to relax in it, that would be an issue. However when selling anything you want to portray it in the best possible way, without personal stuff on show. This is basic common sense.

When it comes to selling your home there is no such thing as too clean and tidy. There is nothing more off putting for buyers than coming to view a dirty or cluttered home

I wholeheartedly agree!
Comments like this usually come from people that wish they could get their own home to that standard but can't manage it for whatever reason - it makes them feel better to try and drag you to their level rather than trying and failing to get to yours.

Eh?! I’d love someone to describe my home as too clean and tidy! How bizarre!

If you’re selling your home, you are much more likely to get viewings if it looks lovely and clean. Ignore them.

I went to look at a house once that had obviously been staged to the extent it made me wonder where all their things were. It definitely put me off even though it looked lovely. It made me realise it was actually quite small. I think there's a happy medium.

Your parents and in laws are weird. You were selling your house so of course it was clean and tidy for the photos

I'm impressed you managed that level of clean with 6 kids. You should give yourself a pat on the back.

A really clean home with no clutter and few knickknacks sells better. And you found that out and profited from your hard work.

Your parents and in laws are jealous, sorry.

I love a clean and tidy house.

Think it's only an issue where is becomes a compulsive obession or where it becomes uncomfortable for visitors like following thrm around with a dust buster or going crash if a child puts a sticky handprint on the coffee table.

In the narrow context you have defined, you can make that statement.

in real life, absolutely not. Requiring a home to be clean and tidy can easily become abuse. If you have ever been terrified to create a single crumb or been screamed at for hours for leaving a textbook on your desk during dinner, you will understand.

I do get where they’re coming from, when I visit friends who have houses which are super clean and tidy. Which look staged, they don’t feel like a home, they feel like a house that I can’t relax in. I get why you’d want it like that when you’re selling though.

It sounds like there was a case of the green-eyed monster from both sets of parents. Are you buying a larger house? Sounds like your in-laws are trying to out-do you which is fine for a handbag but a stretch for the actual house they will live in…

No-one wants to see all your crap when trying to envisage themselves living in it. The parents sound batshit.

What did they say when you got the offer, what made you think they were put out?

Some sterile tidy superclean home might put me off a bit. Its not very cosy. Depends on the house.

In the context of selling a house, I think you’re absolutely right. When we bought our house I think the previous owners must have put the majority of their stuff into storage as there was barely anything anywhere. I loved it; it meant I could properly see the condition of the place as it wasn’t all covered in stuff.

I wouldn’t worry about it. You’ve put the big tidy effort in, you’ve accepted an over offer price, you’re doing well. Who knows what the background “noise” was/is about with the parents. Maybe you’ll never know but does it really matter now

You were selling your house!

If you were my dd I would be delighted for you and proud of you.

No such thing as too clean. Of course it can be too tidy, if it just looks like a sterile box that is unlived in. But no need to worry if you’ve accepted an offer that you’re happy with!

When we had viewings on my first house (pre kids but I was pregnant with our first) we had stuff hidden in the car, they're talking daft 🤣🤣🤣

My daughter went to view a house yesterday that looked fine in the photos but the sheer filth and dirt she saw plus cobwebs was enough to put her off. She just couldn’t see the real house for the dirt needless to say it’s a big fat no from her!

Even that wouldn’t bother me when I was looking to buy a house, because I’d be envisaging it with my stuff, not theirs. It’s irrelevant to me if they live in a sterile box.

I hope you are moving a long way away from both sets of parents, they sound weird.

There is nothing more likely to put people off is a house when the bathroom displays the domestic bottle, manky old cleaning cloth and a tonne of kids bath toys and the kitchen countertops are cluttered with bottles and jars, etc.

Prospective buyers want to see the size and space that could one day be theirs. It's nice to include some well placed cushions on the sofa or a coordinated rug in the hall, but other than that, you did well to have photos that show off the potential, not the normal family detritus.

id ignore all the bitchy barbed comments, joy sponges!. you don't need to please anyone. Once you've got a buyer and on your way to a new home, you get the last laugh

Please can you come and sort my house out?

We’re always tidying up as our house is on the market.

when we move I may find the stuff again😂

i think it is a good idea to leave it clean and tidy

I wouldn’t have said anything but I see where they are coming from. I find “show home” houses sterile and a bit uncomfortable to be in.

There’s a middle ground between clutter everywhere and no sign of human habitation.

Having said that I can understand wanting to clean efficiently if you are selling.