Cleaning Standard Under Contract

[Nick Louie]

BP Community,

I’m negotiating the “rider” (annex to the contract) to include in the contract, with my attorney. In the lawyer’s draft, the relevant clause required the seller to vacate the property and “broom clean.”

I looked up broom clean’s definition. It’s just a standard in real estate that simply requires the seller to remove all personal belongings, nothing more.

This house is a huge 2-4 family house and I’m inheriting used appliances, like the fridge and stove. So, I want to include a higher cleaning standard, like “professionally cleaned” or “deep cleaned.”

My agent, predictably, pushed back saying this isn’t market standard. Lawyer has yet to reply. Thoughts?

[Charlie MacPherson]

@Nick Louie You can try to negotiate any terms you want, but don't be surprised if the seller thinks your offer isn't worth the extra hassle and backs out.

In my opinion, you're better off asking for the standard "broom clean" and factoring in the cost for a professional deep cleaning.

In a hot seller's market, your strategy should be to be as pleasant and cooperative as possible.  That way you're in a much stronger position to push back if some other issue crops up because the seller knows from experience that you're pretty reasonable as opposed to thinking you're just a pushy jerk.