You Can Expect a Lot of Things From Your Agent, but Cleaning Your House Shouldn’t Be One of Them

This is going to sound odd to you if it’s not something you do, but there are people who clean their house before their cleaning service comes!

That might sound bizarre to anyone who doesn’t hire cleaners, or hires them and leaves the house as-is to get the most bang for their buck. But the pre-cleaners know the drill…

If the cleaner is coming Tuesday at 9 a.m., it’s a race against the clock to scoop up toys, stack stray mail into a drawer, and possibly even give the toilet a quick scrub before the pros even pull into the driveway.

For some, the goal is simply to make sure the cleaners can get down to business without having to work around chores that aren’t really their responsibility. For others, it’s more about pride—or avoiding embarrassment. They don’t want to leave behind evidence that suggests they’re messy.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are folks who figure, “Hey, I’m paying for a cleaning service, so the least they can do is unload the dishwasher, reorganize the shoes by the front door, and maybe change the cat litter while they’re at it.”

The reality is, some chores just aren’t usually in their job description. As a recent Lifehacker article put it, you can’t expect cleaners to take on everything—like cleaning your cat litter box—and if you do, you’d better plan to either pay a higher fee…or tip big.

That same principle can easily apply to real estate agents.

3 Times Your House Should Be Spotless When Selling Your Home

Whether you hire a cleaning service or do it yourself, keeping your home clean is always a good habit. When you’re selling it, though, clean becomes non-negotiable.

In fact, “regularly” needs to become “constantly.” You never know when a buyer is going to want to schedule a showing, so it pays to have your home “show-ready” at all times.

Okay, constantly might be pushing it—but there are a few crucial moments when your home should be absolutely spotless and in perfect order:

• The day listing photos are taken – these images are often the first impression buyers have, and arguably the most important visuals of the entire selling process.
• Before an open house – you don’t want buyers who saw those pristine pics online to wonder if they stepped into the wrong house.
• Any scheduled showing – while you may get some impromptu showing requests that catch you off guard, there’s no excuse for not having your house clean when you know a buyer is coming.

If you’re the type who vacuums before the cleaners arrive, chances are your house will be in top shape for buyers. But surprisingly, many homeowners don’t leave their homes entirely ready for photos, showings…or even their agent.

Your Agent Shouldn’t Have to Add ”Cleaner” to Their Job Description

There’s no definitive list of job responsibilities for a real estate agent, and most are more than willing to do things they never thought would be on their list of duties. (For instance, many joke that they often feel like therapists and marriage counselors!)

But what comes as a surprise to many agents is having to add part-time housekeepers to their resume.

It’s not uncommon for agents to show up to one of their listings before the photographer, the open house, or the buyer appointment to do a quick walk-through. In theory, this is to turn on the lights, open the blinds, and make sure the home shows its best.

In reality, here are a few “bonus duties” agents often end up taking on:

• Making the bed that somehow didn’t get made.
• Scooping up laundry (including underwear—always a career highlight).
• Folding a few towels to make the bathroom look less chaotic.
• Loading dishes into the dishwasher.
• Hiding toys in a bin or closet.
• Picking up after the dog in the backyard so buyers don’t step into an unpleasant surprise.

It’s not glamorous. But it’s part of the job when a client’s home isn’t quite ready for its close-up.

The reason agents go to these lengths isn’t because they enjoy folding socks—it’s because presentation really matters.
You might not notice the pile of shoes in the hallway or the crumbs on the counter, but buyers absolutely do. And those little details shape their perception of the property.
In photos, clutter or mess makes rooms look smaller and darker.

Most agents will step in and tidy when they have to. Technically, it’s not part of their job description, but their goal is to help get your home sold. A stray pile of shoes, an unmade bed, or a few scattered toys can subtly influence how buyers perceive your property. By taking care of these details, agents help your home make its best impression, even if it means temporarily adding “housekeeper” to their list of duties.

That said, it’s not really their responsibility to do your day-to-day tidying for you. If you want your home to consistently look its best, it pays to make cleaning and organizing part of your routine.

The effort you put in upfront—keeping surfaces clear, floors vacuumed, and bathrooms tidy—can save everyone stress later and, most importantly, help buyers focus on the features that make your home special rather than the clutter they have to step around.

The Takeaway:

Keeping your home clean and show-ready is about more than just appearances—it directly affects how buyers perceive your property. Small details, from tidy counters to made beds, can make a big difference in photos, showings, and open houses.

While most agents will step in to handle last-minute tidying when needed, it’s not their responsibility to run your household for you. The best approach is to make attention to detail part of your daily routine. A little consistent effort goes a long way in creating a home that shows beautifully, helps buyers focus on the features that matter, and ultimately supports a smoother, more successful sale.