Transforming a Gold Coast Penthouse—From Grimy to Market‑Ready in 4 Hours with pictures

When you’re trying to sell a luxury property in a place like Chicago’s Gold Coast, the smallest details can make or break a deal. A sparkling kitchen, spotless floors, and pristine bathrooms don’t just help your photos pop—they leave lasting impressions on buyers during showings. Recently, our team at Karen’s Green Maids was called in to tackle just that: a high-rise penthouse on East Bellevue Place that needed a fast, thorough transformation before its first open house.

Karen’s Green Maids team deep cleaning a modern condo kitchen

The Client Needed Fast, Detailed Cleaning To Prepare A Luxury Listing For Immediate Showing

This particular penthouse had been lived in for years without a deep clean, and the sellers were on a tight timeline. The realtor contacted us after their regular cleaners turned down the job—there was simply too much ground to cover in too little time. Our same-day inspection revealed grease-caked appliances, smudged mirrors, dusty vents, and water spots on nearly every bathroom surface.

With less than 24 hours to go before a scheduled showing, our expert cleaning team got to work—and delivered a full transformation in under 4 hours

Green cleaning products used by Karen’s Green Maids

Our Team’s Rapid, Top-to-bottom Approach Focused On The Luxury Buyer’s First Impression

With eco-safe degreasers, microfiber detailing cloths, and HEPA vacuums, we sent out a four-person crew that was certified in green cleaning. We used a thorough checklist designed for upscale properties, going room by room from the top floor. We paid particular attention to:

  • Floor-to-ceiling windows, removing streaks and hard water stains

  • Kitchen appliances, degreasing the stovetop, and polishing the fridge and microwave interiors

  • Marble bathroom countertops and fixtures, removing soap scum and mineral deposits

  • Baseboards, vents, and ceiling fans—places even some cleaners miss

Because we’re a licensed, bonded, and insured cleaning company with over 40 years in the industry, we’re trusted by local realtors and property managers to handle high-value homes without risk.

Awards And Recognition Reflect Our Commitment To High-quality, Reliable Cleaning

Reviews on Yelp, Google, and other review sites consistently give Karen's Green Maids a rating of 4.9 stars. A number of property groups, such as North Shore Realty and Lakeside Property Group, have chosen us as their preferred vendor, and we are happy to have earned local accolades, such as "Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service in Chicago" (2023, Chicago Green Living accolades).
In order to meet the seller's realtor's priorities, we collaborated closely with them in this instance. This realtor then informed us that she now highly refers our team to all of her sellers in the Streeterville and Gold Coast districts since we are renowned for producing results that are superior and timely.

Eco-conscious Practices And Dependable Service Keep Clients Coming Back

More and more homeowners are prioritizing sustainability—and our green-certified methods help our clients do just that without sacrificing results. According to a 2024 survey by Statista, over 48% of U.S. consumers prefer eco-friendly services when available. Our products are biodegradable and non-toxic, safe for pets, children, and allergy-sensitive buyers touring the home.

We also make the process stress-free. We’ve served over 3,000 Chicago-area clients, and 70% of our new bookings come from repeat customers and referrals. It’s why we’re one of the city’s most trusted names for move-out cleanings.

Exterior view of a Gold Coast high-rise where penthouse was cleaned

Professional Cleaning Helps Sellers Close Faster And For More Money

After our team finished, the penthouse looked completely refreshed—no more dull countertops, no more sticky floors, and definitely no more dusty corners. According to the agent, the condo received three competitive offers within 10 days and sold 30% faster than comparable units in the same building.

This isn’t a one-off result, either. Research shows that a clean, well-maintained home can increase a property’s perceived value by as much as 5%. To better understand what buyers expect during showings, we recommend this detailed home selling checklist by PODS, which outlines the must-do cleaning tasks sellers often forget.

Before and after view of a Gold Coast penthouse living room post-cleaning

When Speed And Detail Matter, Trust A Certified Property Sale Cleaning Service

This project is just one of the many reasons our clients trust us as their go-to property sale cleaning service in Chicago. Whether it’s a compact studio or a sweeping Gold Coast penthouse, we come prepared with the tools, techniques, and team to get your space market-ready—fast.

We also understand the urgency of the market. Sellers don’t always have days to prep a unit. That’s why we offer flexible scheduling, including last-minute and emergency cleanings when timelines get tight. In this case, we completed a full transformation in 4 hours—a service we were proud to deliver right on time.

If you’re preparing to list your home and want it to look its absolute best, let our seasoned professionals help. We bring decades of experience, award-winning service, and proven results to every home we touch.

Let us make your property shine—because when every hour counts, you need experts who can deliver.

Madison GreenKaren's Green Maids