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I CAN SELL ANY HOME. I JUST HOPE IT DOESN'T SMELL.

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential

That's right.  You have a home?  You need it sold?  I will sell it for you.

Paint chipping?  That's ok.

Small yard?  Low maintenance.

Big yard?  Nature lovers delight.

Dirty carpeting? Old appliances?  Holes in wall?  Drippy ceiling?

It's a fixer upper.  Those sell the best.

But in my 2 and a 1/2 years of experience, THE HARDEST THING TO SELL IS SMELL.

Smokegarlic, onion, curry, body odor, dog, and the deadliest odor of all CAT PEE!

I have been fired as a listing agent ONCE!  IT WAS THE CAT PEE!!!

The worst thing of all is that homeowners who live in stinky homes don't know it.

And it's hard for us real estate agents to tell you.

"Mr. Jones, your home smells like an arm pit!"

Clients generally don't like that.

But boy, is it important.

I have seen buyers choose a far more expensive home JUST TO GET AWAY FROM THAT SMELL!

Ken

www.kensfeaturedhomes.com

 

 

Comments (15)

John LaRocca
LaRocca Inspections - Burbank, CA
What a funny blog, but it's so true, who wants to live in a smelly house? Make sure that you hire a good inspector and a good mold or sewer line inspector as needed to help give you advice on how to get rid of whatever is causing those smells. (Although i don't think an inspector can help get rid of the cat pee smell.)
Apr 24, 2008 05:33 AM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate
I've never had to sell a home that smelled bad.  I'm very thankful for that.  I sure have been in them, though.  Most people turn right around and walk out.
Apr 24, 2008 05:36 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Ken, I like the attitude of this post, very upbeat.  As far as the *cat smell* you could phrase it as "distinctive aroma"  LOL.  If this pee is on rugs of any form, I find replacing them the best solution.

Apr 24, 2008 05:41 AM
David Swierczynski
Retired - Antioch, IL
RETIRED

Ken,

Invest in a "fresh air by ecoquest" air filtration unit. http://www.ecoquestintl.com/index_home.asp these units placed in even the stinkiest homes can clear out foul odors in about 24-48 hours.

I have two that I rotate through homes. Currey? Kimchee? Cat Pee? No Problem!

Take Care,

David

Apr 24, 2008 05:43 AM
Michael Creel
InActive Agent - Bellevue, WA
I showed a condo once that smelled of dog urine so bad it burned my eyes. I had to go outside every couple of minutes to get some air. Oddly the client was really giving it some thought, he wanted a fixer upper, and this one surely qualified.
Apr 24, 2008 05:45 AM
Stephanie Fischer
Lewis and Clark Realty Inc. West - Yankton, SD

Ken - This post does not make me want to get a cat anytime soon....I know exactly what you are talking about!!  Is there a good way to tell someone their home gives off an undesireable odor.....?? If so, let me know.

Apr 24, 2008 05:48 AM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate
I think I've heard about the air filtration unit that David talked about.  From what I hear, it works very well.  It might be worth considering...
Apr 24, 2008 05:49 AM
Carl Ostenson
Ostenson Insurance Group - Des Plaines, IL

Great post. LOL

 

Apr 24, 2008 06:44 AM
Ian Greenleigh
Austin, TX

My wife used to ask me whenever I took a listing if it was a "cat piss" listing.  That way she could spend the money if it wasn't, and wouldn't if it was.

Of course, I caught on, so every listing was a cat piss lisitng.     

Apr 24, 2008 06:54 AM
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Wow.  Hi Chris, Carl, Debi squared, Stephanie, Michael, David, Valeri, and John.

Thanks for reading.  It's true about the smell.

Hi David, good suggestion.  I wonder if it would work when it is into the floor?

Ken

Apr 24, 2008 07:04 AM
Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

Try this to get rid of really strong house odors: cut an onion in half and leave out on a plate in the room for a week. You'll be amazed!

Apr 24, 2008 02:54 PM
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Mara.  Interesting solution.  Wow.

Ken

Apr 25, 2008 01:11 AM
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

An onion as part of the solution...

Ken

Apr 25, 2008 03:02 AM
Sharon Hampton
Re/Max Around The Mountains - Blue Ridge, GA
I have also heard about setting the onion out to kill out the other ordors. So remember next time you go to a house that smells bring a onion!lol
Apr 26, 2008 03:27 AM
Chad Baird
Re/Max Spirit - Dayton, OH
Release a skunk into the house.  That should at least cover up the cat pee smell! 
Apr 26, 2008 05:10 AM