“What’s that smell?”

“I smell a cat?”

“A smoker lives here”.

These are some of the first questions out of a buyers mouth when they enter a home in Ann Arbor, they are viewing as a possible purchase.

Odors Be careful of odors in your home. If your family room smells stuffy and stale, or if your cat or dog has left a distinctive odor in the hallway, take action by eliminating the source of the odor rather than merely treating the effects.

Smells have a powerful effect on the way people react to a house, and no amount of room freshener or vanilla on the light bulbs can mask a serious odor problem.

In fact, such remedies may draw attention to the problem. We have seen homes in Ann Arbor with an odor problem languish unsold on the market for months or sell for significantly less than comparable homes in the neighborhood.

I once had to tell a client who had lived there all her life and smoked that we needed to have then entire house painted and carpet replaced. I didn’t like to do that, but better to hear if from me first, since I knew what the feedback would be and how long it would take to sell.

If you are getting ready to put your home on the market, make sure it smells good. Buying a home is an emotional decision and a bad odor can turn a perspective buyer off.

Bad odors = lower price, longer marketing time.

Fresh and clean odors= higher price, shorter marketing time.

 

 

Share This