Viewings again and I can't be bothered

[GrannyWentToMarketAgain]

Just that really. Three failed sales because of flaky buyers and now back on the market, again.

Every other time, the place was pristine for each and every viewing, but with 3 dc (one a toddler) and now feeling completely jaded by the process of selling and buying, I can't be bothered.

What level of clean and tidy is appropriate? What is the middle ground between show home and we want to sell / acceptable for viewings?

I don't look at mess, i look at the structural condition of the house, the location, the price. The mess is irrelevant because 1. it won't be there when I move in and 2. I can see beyond the mess.

However, a lot of people can't envisage what potential a house has and would struggle to picture it as something else so on that basis I'd be making sure it was pristine before a viewing if you want it to sell.

Agreed. Normal family belongings are to be expected, but if it's filthy and cluttered, that would put me off. So beds made, nothing on the floor that shouldn't be on the floor (i.e. no clothes, books, etc), kitchen clean and tidy, but fine to have kettle, toaster, knife block, utensils, mug tree, fruit bowl, kitchen roll, etc out. Make sure it smells nice. I'm very sensitive to smells and if I smell dog, smoke, damp/mould or anything unpleasant that would put me off.

What level of clean and tidy is appropriate? What is the middle ground between show home and we want to sell / acceptable for viewings?

prioritise kitchen and bathrooms, no wet towels on floor, washing up done or at least stacked in the dishwasher.

Vacuum the main areas on the day of a visit.

DC to keep their bedroom tidy (small treat for the tidiest bedroom!)

if you can do routine things as you go along, then it isn't such a mountain to climb,

You only have one chance to make a first good impression.

I went to see many pristine houses but fell in love with one that looked like a bombsite (unexpected viewing)

No dirty dishes, made beds, bathroom and kitchen clean. A bit of toys on floor and general household clutter is fine. It should be showroom ready for photos, but you have to live there.

Is there something wrong with your place that is only coming to light at conveyancing. We had 1 failed sale but 3 is wild.

It absolutely won't be a bombsite. I think the issue is that every viewing in the past has had me cleaning and tidying to the same degree as when the photos were taken. It's not fun to live with and a pain in the arse. I'm willing to do it for those that can't see past pristine but after failed sales, I'm feeling rather jaded.

To answer the previous poster's question - all sales have failed just before exchange. All surveys were fine, no requests to negotiate on price. Instead we've had one chain collapse, one where our buyer was made redundant (and still is unemployed and thus not proceedable) and lastly a pair of ftbs who messed about for 6 months and then disappeared at exchange. Not quite sure 'wild' is the word I'd choose to describe it but I'd suspect it will become increasingly common in today's market and not very pleasant.

I think that decently tidy and superficially clean is fine for viewings. The only thing to avoid is clutter lying around which suggests there isn't enough storage, and bad smells which people might fear are ingrained. Other than that, it can look like a home which has been reasonably loved and cared for.

if I was viewing a family home, I would tell the estate agent to tell the seller not to make too much effort cleaning. Having just been through the process myself several times, trying to get rid of all normal life mess and clutter was a right pain, especially when the viewings are not grouped together.

This is the most expensive and important purchase for you and your buyers. Sorry but it’s absolutely worth being arsed for. There’s no point people saying “ mess wouldn’t bother me” if they are not the ones viewing your house! As clean and tidy as you can is the best way to attract people

Clean and tidy is really important
I think you know that too

You said ‘we’
so assume you mean a partner
If Youre both carrying the load it shouldn’t be too much and
hopefully the next sale will be the one

I found the viewing stage difficult too OP. Definitely one of the worst stages of selling, but try to present the property in the best way you can, some buyers struggle to look past it. I hope you get a committed buyer very soon. Good luck.

if I was viewing and felt that not effort was put into to present it then I might think they weren’t serious committed buyers. However that depends on how much competition there was, if hardly any then I might be more relaxed. I do get that it’s a pain in the arse, been there, got the t.shirt!

Sorry should say ‘sellers’ not ‘buyers’.

The one time we finally got our offer was when we had reached the stage of getting tired of making look like a show home. Left it clean, very tidy, but a lived in a family home and it seemed to do the trick!