Does Your House Pass the "Smell Test?"
By Kathleen Yamauchi
When potential buyers come to look at your house, they’re not
only LOOKING, but they’re also SNIFFING, either consciously or
unconsciously. When we live in a house, we tend to get used to the way
it smells and don’t always notice when something is a little…stinky.
But any obnoxious odors will be immediately apparent to a first-time
visitor. So before you show your house, take a sniff or two, and then
take these steps to de-odorize.
1. Pets. Dirty litter boxes and old “accident” stains are
the obvious culprits here. Keep Kitty’s litter box scrupulously
clean at all times, and consider having your carpet professionally cleaned
by someone who is experienced with pet stains. Don’t forget that
many people are allergic to cats, so make sure your furniture and carpet
are vacuumed frequently. If possible, think about keeping your cat or
other pets confined to a certain area of the house while your house is
listed. If you’re thinking of getting a cat or other pet, wait
until AFTER you’ve moved.
2. Cooking. We’ve all been told that we should eat more fish,
but until your house sells, eat that fish at a restaurant. Strong odors
from cooking fish hang around and permeate the house. Cabbage, onions
and garlic are notorious offenders, too. Throwing a few lemon slices
in some boiling water or running lemon peel through the garbage disposal
can help clear the air. And remember to take out your kitchen garbage
as often as possible.
3. Cigarettes. Smoking easily drops the value of a house by 30% or more.
Smoke gets into the drywall, carpets, furniture, and drapes, and it is
very difficult to remove. If you or a family member smokes, stop smoking
inside the house as soon as you decide to sell. Paint the interior, and
either shampoo the rugs or replace them. If weather permits, keep the
windows open to help air out the house.
Follow the above steps, and your home will not only LOOK good, it will
SMELL good. A fresh-smelling, odor-free house is much more appealing
than a stinky one, and much more likely to sell at the price you want.
~~~ Kathleen Yamauchi is a long-time realtor located in Prescott, Arizona.
For more free tips and resources on buying and selling your home and
other real estate advice, visit her web site at http://www.kathleeny.com
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