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Open House Oops!

By
Real Estate Agent with RLAH@properties AB95346

Just say NO to plastic flowersToday, I dropped by to see a house that was just listed and having its very first Open House. 

The first thing to hit me was a gaudy arrangement of bright plastic flowers in a terra cotta pot on the stairs to the front porch.  Not auspicious. 

The next shocker had to deal with, you guessed it, smells.  OK, there are houses with all kinds of odor problems, from neglected kitty litter boxes to overpowering scented candles.  But this afternoon, I encountered an overpowering blast of incense!

It was stronger than when you go to a high Mass on Sunday morning!  It was stronger than what we burned in the 1960's to cover up the contraband we smoked.  It was really pretty awful. 

Perhaps it was covering up something else, though there didn't seem to be any pets in residence.  Smokers in residence?  Nope.  Had the owner cooked a cabbage feast for dinner last night?  Probably not.  I think either the owner or her agent might have just liked incense.

So, bottom line to you sellers out there - no plastic flowers anywhere ever!  And the only good smell when your house is for sale is not smell at all!

If you are planning a move to or from the DC metropolitan area, I can help.  Please contact me before you make any real estate decisions.  Call or text me at 202-549-5167 or email me at housepat@mac.com

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Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Pat- oh yes..... I wish they'd quit making the plastic flowers!!!   I like some incensebut it can be overpowering.  Too much makes the nose unhappy!!!

Nov 09, 2013 06:05 AM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland

Too smelly is never good. It's eve worse when you take the smell with you and it fills your car too!

Nov 09, 2013 06:17 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

That sort of intense smell triggers a migraine in me and I generally NEVER ever show that house again.

Nov 09, 2013 06:24 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

There is nothing like bright plastic flowers and bad smells. Do they expect to sell this house?

Nov 09, 2013 06:28 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I've seen plastic flowers on the front steps and once side of the arrangement would be faded from the sun.  Tacky, tacky.  

Nov 09, 2013 06:46 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Oh my!  Are we all turning into snobs about this stuff?  OK, I am.  I hate tacky.

Nov 09, 2013 06:54 AM
Women of Westchester Working Together
Women of Westchester Working Together - West Harrison, NY
Women helping Women get ahead

Great advice, Pat.  Oh, and my eyes were watering earlier from some carpet freshener at one of my customer's. - Debbie

Nov 09, 2013 07:02 AM
Brad MacKenzie
Brad MacKenzie - Duxbury, MA
Turning Houses into Homes on the South Shore

No need, and no help. I could smell the funk behind the candles at one OH last weekend.

Nov 09, 2013 07:14 AM
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Hi Patricia, There is nothing like the smell of plastic flowers after a rain. The key word here is "Nothing".  Good blog.

Nov 09, 2013 07:40 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Pat, It seems evident that the Sellers and the agent like the smell of plastic flowers and incense. It is also possible that the Seller was a hippie in another life, or perhaps still in this one, LMAO
Nov 09, 2013 08:19 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Not everyone likes the smell of incense, or any other scent for that matter. The best smell is no smell at all Pat.

Nov 09, 2013 08:43 AM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

Bad smell can drive away potential home buyers even if the house would've been the house that they really liked.

Nov 09, 2013 09:05 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Good points: No smell at all; no plastic flowers - got it!

Nov 09, 2013 10:22 AM
Debbie Holmes
John L. Scott - Boise, ID
Gets the job done!

I like the smell of baking  bread or cookies ..... Otherwise no odor is a good odor.

Nov 09, 2013 10:51 AM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

Gaudy is one thing and stinky is another - sure looks like everyone agrees on the two.

Nov 09, 2013 01:40 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Teral-this is an interesting post and is inspiring me to write something related. 

Nov 09, 2013 04:10 PM