Do you know what broom swept means? In every contract, in New York City, it will state an apartment or a house has to be left in room-swift condition when it closes.

I'm actually in a property now that's going to get a deep clean because we will be closing in a week or so. The interpretation of broom swept can vary. Some people feel like a place should be left in the condition that they would like when they move in. Other people feel the new owners are going to clean it anyway, so what's the point?!

What I would say is, it's all about the optics of the impression that you give to people when they do that final walk through. This usually happens the day before closing, or the day of closing, and you don't want people looking around thinking, “well, if this is the way they looked after the place, there must be something wrong here.” That sort of attitude can come to the closing table, and then cause problems with any little thing.

I would recommend getting a proper clean done; the appliances, the bathrooms, the toilets, the way you would like it to look if you were moving in. The only exception to that would be if it's an absolute gut renovation in really poor condition; sold as is, and the buyers know exactly what they're getting. If you need help at all with that process that's what your real estate agent is for and that's why I'm here today!