Ewww, What Smells?

On a recent hour tour: My client smelled it as soon as we walked in...It was a dog bed in the basement. Turned off. House rejected.

My clients make up nicknames for houses they have seen. Usually, it will be the street name or something like the blue kitchen or the porch. Last year, there was a house called sweat sock.

In the heat of the summer and the most closed-in part of the winter, houses smell. Sellers, don't think that using perfumed candles, or sprays, or baking cookies helps. You only add a new smell to the mix. It is sort of like using deodorant when you haven't showered since last week.

Some smells are part of the house, and some are part of the family. Most family smells leave with the family. Family smells include: dirty laundry, dog beds, cat boxes, "science projects" in the refrigerator, smoking, diaper pails, trash bins...House smells include: damp basements, leaking waste pipes, leaking oil tanks or fittings, mold, mildew, urine outside of toilet or cat box...

Buyers, investigate a smell. Make sure it is a "family" smell that will leave. Sellers, clean up your act before you invite the public into your home.

My nose and I thank you.