Boy I wish we had Smell-A-Vision or do I? This is a great post from Paula Hamilton in Texas about odors in homes that sellers are so used to they don't even notice them anymore. Remember when Fido used to stink? He still does! You've just gotten used to it. Your nose 'knows' that odor and blocks it out. But that buyer won't!
I think that on occasion you should 'air out' your home for 10 minutes or so even with the hotter summer months. Think of buyers as the best visitors you can have & give them your best efforts. It always pays off!
SMELL-A-VISION ~ WHAT PICTURES CAN'T CONVEY! This is a follow up to the post I just wrote entitled A Picture Isn't Always Worth a 1,000 Words! So often the minute I open the door to show a home, my nose is the first point of contact! You know what I mean? You walk in and ugh! Pet odors, smoke, strange cooking smells, overuse of cleaning products, extremely STRONG candles or plug-ins, moldy smells, trash and the list goes on.
Yes the pictures and the write up can paint a lovely picture but the true test for me is how it SMELLS or doesn't smell! As an agent, it is imperative that I convey this point to my Seller's. The house MUST be clean and free of offensive odors. And, you cannot simply MASK bad odors with flowery sprays and candles. That only adds to the GAG factor.
Of course there are smells that evoke a sense of well-being and of "home". Freshly baked cookies, clean and fresh scents are always odors that are friends of the olfactory senses. The key is that they are not overwhelming.
When taking a listing, it is important to share this information with your clients. They are used to how their home smells so they cannot possibly be the one to judge this. You as the agent have to broach this subject as delicately yet confidently as possible.
Since Smell-A-Vision has not yet been invented, don't loose a potential sell due to odors! THAT WOULD STINK! ;)
Paula L. Hamilton ~ Broker/Director
Copyright 2010 Paula Hamilton
Very good points. How beautiful the home is may not matter if the buyer can't stand to stay inside for the smell.
The real estate mantra: IF IT SMELLS IT WONT SELL!
That nose is gross. I'm one of those agents who keep Fabreeze in my car especially for my seller's who have cats. No matter how much you try and convey, sometimes they just don't get the message.
It's hard to tell your seller that their house smells, but it's a necessary part of our job. LOL - I'm actually glad we can't smell photos ... many would be BAD.
I was watching the show "Hoarding Animals" and I felt I was right inside those houses; I'm super sensitive to smells and all you have to do is mention pet odor and my brain captures the scent.. yuck!
I'm a straight up gal and I tell it like it is, if I walk into an open house that smells funny I take the agent to the side and ask what does the owner plan on doing about the odor, that lets the agent know she needs to relay that message to the Sellers
Monica: I missed that & I was trying to see how that was. I guess you've told me & I know what you mean. Once you've been there your nose remembers it.
Cynthia: It's one of the hardest things to say to a seller but I believe is the most important. I've come home with my clothes & hair smelling something awful & people notice that YOU stink. I didn't before I left!
Janet: Fabreeze is not enough but that's great for the car I'll admit.
Robert: Absolutely true!
Team H: I've been in great homes that have forgot to take out the kitchen garbage & have almost been knocked over! I help the seller out by putting their container in the garage.
Lyn,
We think every agent has shown that home that makes your eyes water to the point that you can't stay any longer, where it's pet smells, or too much Glade SUPER DELUXE Spring scent with Irish Dancers!
Very funny and true, get rid of the smell and it will sell. I smell a winner with this blog!
Thanks for the re-blog! Now that is refreshing! :)
Ahh the smells, how true. Some of those odors are forever.
Tom: It's true, sometimes the smell is so bad that's how you remember the house!
Oh, poor Fido. I can't believe you think that he still stinks. LOL. Just make some cinnamon rolls or some apple pie and everyone will forget about Fido.
Russel: No they won't, there will be the smell of dog underlying all the cinnamon rolls & apple pie smells - honest.