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Original poster

Would a too tidy house put you off?

25 replies

Toastandstrawberryjam · 07/08/2015 21:21

House been on market few months and we need to sell asap to sort divorce. STBEH is obsessively tidy.

In that time had one viewer who remarked the whole time how she had never seen such a tidy house. It is usually relatively tidy/clean but that day STBEH spent 6 hours fanatically cleaning the house. Until in my view it was unnaturally tidy and no sign anybody lived there.

We have another viewer tomorrow and he is keen to do another marathon clean whereas I believe it should be clean and tidy but not so every surface smells of bleach and there isn't an item anywhere to be seen.

So would it put you off?

OP posts:

forago · 07/08/2015 21:22

Total opposite for me - it would make me want to buy it more - but I am a real neat freak.

GoooRooo · 07/08/2015 21:23

No. Although the overwhelming smell of bleach probably would be a bit off putting.

Original poster

Toastandstrawberryjam · 07/08/2015 21:26

I just thought maybe people would prefer a house that doesn't look like nobody lives there! But obviously that's just me.

Don't get me wrong, I can't abide clutter. But no ornaments/items out at all - it was a bit stark.

OP posts:

senua · 07/08/2015 21:26

It would make me wonder what you were hiding e.g. have you been scrubbing off all the black mould and hiding smells with bleach.

chipsandpeas · 07/08/2015 21:41

would bother me at all....when i view a house im not looking at your stuff (or lack of it) id be visualising where i would put my stuff
that also goes the opposite way.....i wouldnt care if it was dirty and messy and the decor was shit

merrymouse · 07/08/2015 21:48

No, but if it looks spartan and bleak I would probably be put off - not to the extent of not buying if it is perfect on all other respects, but if another similar house nearby looks cosy and inviting I will choose that house over yours.

PlainHunting · 07/08/2015 22:26

Yes.

I worry so much that I'll make a footprint or break something that I can't relax and look at the house on its merits.

Original poster

Toastandstrawberryjam · 07/08/2015 22:33

I think the issue is that because it's all open plan and white, there is no warmth to it. So when everything is stripped bare and not a speck of dust then it looks somehow odd.

OP posts:

SusanHollander · 07/08/2015 22:49

I would like the tidy minimalism in that as a buyer I would be able to see the space fully and see where my stuff would go.

Plus tidy, clean house even if obsessively so indicates things are well looked after - so you're not going to move in and find that filthy areas or undisclosed 'electric fire doesn't work / shower is erratic'.

We viewed a house so filthy and cluttered it was unsellable. There were actually dirty towels still left dumped in the middle of the bathroom floor, to name but one thing. Don't get me started on the wonky porch, ripped and peeling up carpets, endless clutter and wanton filth. It was disgusting. How people live that way I know not.

If you worry it feels unhomely why not brew coffee just before they arrive or gently bake some water with a few drops of vanilla essence to get that baking smell, or cloves, cinnamon and warm water on the stove top. I'd go so far as to leave a folded newspaper out on the counter top with glasses next to it to give a relaxed feeling of drinking coffee and reading the paper.

SusanHollander · 07/08/2015 22:50

And fresh flowers - a couple of vases of fresh flowers will brighten it up. Anything to add a homely touch and smell is a good way to do this.

Original poster

Toastandstrawberryjam · 07/08/2015 22:54

See I would do those touches but that is exactly the kind of thing he won't have. In fact the only thing on the (white) kitchen worktops is the designer (white) kettle!

OP posts:

UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 08/08/2015 10:04

I think some people are unable to imagine their stuff in a house and so need it to look lived in. So if it looks stark, they write it off as unhomely.

That said, you've presumably got furniture etc? So some homely touches are a good idea. As pp have said, a newspaper or some books, vase of flowers. If your dh objects, tell him Mumsnet says so!

Good luck.

Oblique27 · 08/08/2015 10:15

I would appreciate clean and neat, sorry but your thread reads more as evidence of your reasons for divorce than anything to do with house selling

NewsreaderChic · 08/08/2015 10:19

People viewing a house are imagining how their life would look if they bought it, so yes it's very important to be clean and tidy (you'd be amazed how many aren't). However if it's too clinical then the lifestyle your projecting is too stark.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 08/08/2015 10:22

It sounds like my perfect home.

LittleBearPad · 08/08/2015 10:31

It sounds as though getting viewings is more the problem. One in a few months is rubbish.

What does your estate agent say?

Is it priced well? Are the photos good?

The smell of bleach might be a bit off putting but cleanliness wouldn't. Flowers would warm it up as would smell of bread or coffee.

Original poster

Toastandstrawberryjam · 08/08/2015 10:34

Priced just fine but this end of market absolutely flat.

And yes probably it is partly that I don't want him here for 5 hours yelling at the DC about tidying!! I absolutely agree. But it is also that I do think if I saw a house that looked like this I wouldbt see it as a family home.

OP posts:

SusanHollander · 08/08/2015 10:56

The house we are in was owned by a single man when we bought it but I still knew it would be our family home and it is. It made no odds that the kitchen was orange, the wallpaper floral and the garden all paving slabs as we knew what we wanted - four years on we've changed it beyond recognition, renovated it top to bottom including gardens. All we wanted was the area and a three bed house and the rest has been a project!

bowsaw · 08/08/2015 14:35

id be wary if a house smelt of bleach that damp was being hidden buy a quick fresh clean

Binit · 08/08/2015 14:39

I'd be wary of a house that smelt of bleach everywhere, yes it would put me off.

SpecificOcean · 08/08/2015 22:18

I would prefer tidy and clutter free, but could see past normal stuff. Bleach smells horrible.

DunderMiffed · 09/08/2015 18:46

We looked at a very small house that was suuuuuper tidy - it put us off as we thought it wouldn't work for us as a home (we're messy!)

Pangomonium · 12/08/2015 17:32

Agree that smell of bleach would immediately scare me into thinking damp/mould problem.

Also it's nice to feel like a house can be a home and have some character when you walk in, otherwise I feel like
"Well yes of course it looks lovely now as a showhome but it's not going to work as a real home if it needs to be this pristine"

Also this may be really stupid and most people can probably see past it but if your agent is telling buyers that you're
selling as getting a divorce that might make them feel wary that it may have been an unhappy home.

Good luck with your viewings!

Original poster

Toastandstrawberryjam · 14/08/2015 17:04

I found out after the viewers had gone, that STBEH had removed all the toilet rolls as they made it look cluttered! You know, the actual in use ones in the bathroom!!!

Viewers weren't keen but didn't really give a reason why.

OP posts:

Roseandbee · 14/08/2015 17:33

Id make sure your agent isn't mentioning that divorce as the reason for sale.
I viewed a house where the agent told us that the couple were divorcing & the house was clean and sparse & although we could not put our finger on it we just came away feeling a bit uneasy, the house was lovely but the atmosphere inside the house was almost a bit depressing & it felt unloved & un lived in & my guess was it was just the guy in there on his own.
An overpowering smell of bleach isn't good but i think the cleanings fine just make sure it feels homely.

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