Where is the Pride of Ownership?

Maybe it’s just because I’m getting older, but it has become increasingly evident that sellers do not possess the same pride of ownership that they have in years past.  Used to be that sellers would scrub, vacuum and clean every nick and cranny of their home in preparation for a new homeowner. As the sale was already completed, this was done out of respect and pride. They would voluntarily have the carpet professionally cleaned, same with windows, maybe even leave a stack of fresh cut firewood by the fireplace, just in order to make the new owner feel at home the moment they walked through the door. This is no longer the case.

Unless the selling and/or listing agent(s) intervene, or specify such cleaning in the terms of the purchase and sale agreement, new homeowners may be presented with everything from a garage full of junk to dirty dishes in the sink. It’s bad enough when a buyer sees a floor stain for the first time because the seller had kept it covered with a rug or furniture. But to leave behind garbage as if they were vacating an apartment is sometimes appalling.

This has become a pretty consistent behavior for which there are no simple answers. It is laziness on the part of sellers, and heartbreaking for buyers. And it perpetuates a cycle of, “it was a mess when I moved in, why should I clean for someone else?” Very sad.

As such, we have begun adding language to our purchase and sale agreements on behalf of our buyers which specifies professional cleaning and removal of all trash by the seller, from the entire property, at the seller’s expense, prior to closing. It is unfortunate to have to resort to this, but it beats the alternative of hoping and praying that the seller has enough self respect and pride of ownership to leave their home in proper “move-in” condition.