"What the hell is that smell?" Have you ever heard your buyer yell that? The next thing they say is next! Many times in real estate it has been my experience that when showing a home that the listing agent uses potpourri pots, deodorant's for the furnace, too much deodorant, cinnamon brooms, that one cannot help but think that a greater issues is being masked like mold that cannot be re-mediated. They over did it! What are you trying to hide is the thought that runs through your mind over and over!
Many home buyers have allergies, and asthma, or their children have it. They are very susceptible to smells, smoke, filth, mold, pet odors, and cooking smells. Many odors are not deal killers, but when you come into a home and it sells worse than a funeral home with a flowery smell in the middle of winter we have a definite problem that needs to be addressed. When the smell of cinnamon is so strong that your eyes water up, what is the point? Even a blind person knows something is up. They can also smell a dirty home! Their point? "Next!" No sale is my point! You want to sell a home for your seller, I want a home that in good conscience I can sell to my buyers.
Masking odors is not a substitution for cleaning a home correctly. You cannot hide the symptoms, if you have not attacked the source, get rid of all bad odors. Perfumes and colognes are not a substitute for bathing! The following is a small list, based upon our experience in the business that works. I will not list a home where the seller is actively smoking in home. They will not sell, and smell liek a toilet! Carry a can of Lysol Linen Scent in trunk of car, do not use any over powering deodorants. If showing a vacant home show up 45 minutes early and open windows.
- Clean ovens, exhaust hood and range-top.
- Scrub kitchen - cabinets, and countertops.
- No heavy cooking or deep frying
- Avoid curry, shrimp, garlics, and beer bottles empties
- Cakes and cookies are a plus
- Clean refrigerators - leave baking soda in both sides of refrigerator.
- Toss all garbage and diapers ASAP
- Laundry - just do it, do not leave for weekly wash.
- Change pet pans frequently.
- Keep pets outside or kennel when possible.
- Air out pet beds.
- Remove heavy drapes, and curtains especially in a smoker's home.
- Remove newspapers and magazines from home (newsprint creates a stale odor).
- Mop all floors, and tiles.
- Clean all Glass windows and light fixtures - (grease sticks to them)
- Clean carpets professionally - do not do chem dry.
- Paint entire inside of home
- No smoking inside.
- Change all air-filters.
- Clean all toilets and leave bleach in them.
- Have fireplaces cleaned.
- Open all windows and air out home.
- Paint garage and basement floors.
- Garbage cans outside when possible.
- Dust woodwork, and polish furniture.
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