So just how much cleaning do you do for a viewing?

[CuddyMum]

I have been cleaning my house top to bottom for my viewings. I have viewed four houses recently and I can honestly say that they hadn't made any effort at all. That said, I am interested in two of them. I'm wondering if I am making too much effort, particularly when I find out that the viewers sometimes aren't even on the market yet.

I think its a good idea to clean top to bottom at the beginning, it sets a standard, as the weeks go on, however, most people end up sliding a bit as day to day life gets in the way. IME most viewers can see through general day to day stuff as long as its clean. The odd bag here, or toy there won't stop serious people. My general list included kitchen and bathroom spruce, quick hoover if necessary, keep a spare cupboard for throwing 'stuff' in and open the windows. We kept on top of 'stuff' on a daily basis anyway.

I saw some terrible ones too and lots got discarded if it was more than just day to day clobber.

I think I'll keep doing the full clean, fresh flowers approach. The houses we looked at were quite new on the market - too early to let things slide. It makes you wonder if they have neglected anything else.

First viewing I spent five hours scrubbing and tidying - and my house is always pretty clean and tidy because I have a cleaner and I'm anal about everything being in it's place.

Second viewing I spent rather less time.

That's where we're at, and I'm already bored. Next viewing I'll probably just scoot round with the vac

Had to prepare for a very short notice viewing yesterday. I had 30 mins to get the whole house ready and I was sweating!! Then had to shove the teenagers and dog in the car and drive around (I hate being in). On the plus side they stayed for 45 mins and said how clean it was but they are not even on the market! I normally take about five hours to clean and I'm guessing people don't see the finger prints etc that I see.

I cleaned our whole house every time, cleared away every toy, left the place totally immaculate - despite having a toddler and tiny baby at the time. We sold to a bloke who I now know would have been just as happy if it'd stayed a total pigsty, if not happier! Sod's law:) Moral is not everyone appreciates a totally pristine house. In fact, I remember being put off myself by over-clinical houses that I couldn't 'see' myself in, being of the messier persuasion by nature.

Shit loads! If we have a viewing I will prepare for it and then on the day spend a good 5 hours cleaning if I have chance. If not it gets done the night before. It is bloody immaculate but then it takes about 2 weeks to find all the sodding stuff I have hidden!

Well it looks like I will be cleaning again on Saturday for a second viewing for the people who don't even have their house on the market!!