Home Odors: The Bad AND the GOOD.
When real estate agents speak of staging a home or preparing a home for an open house, they often mention de-cluttering, de-personalizing, and cleaning. What doesn’t quickly come to mind are odors. Cleaning and deodorizing often come hand-in-hand; however, homeowners need to take into account scents that could be considered “good smells”. Scents that may be appealing or unobtrusive to some may not be so to others and could potentially affect a buyer’s opinion of your home.
As more and more products use perfumes, the number of people allergic or sensitive to scents has risen. Certain odors have the potential to cause irritated sinuses, headaches, and breathing difficulties. This has been attributed to the chemical makeup of fragrances added to perfume, candles, aromatherapy, etc. A person’s reaction depends on their biological makeup, exposure to certain chemicals, and the presence of health issues related to the liver, colon, skin, and lungs. While people with extreme allergies are usually aware of their condition, to prevent a reaction in visitors with mild allergies, homeowners should take care to avoid excessive use of fragrances while their home is on the market. If an owner wants to add to their home’s ambiance, they should try baking cookies or lighting a naturally scented candle before showings.
In addition to product perfumes, homes take on certain odorous 
characteristics depending on the lifestyle of the current occupants. After living in an environment for an extended period of time, such odors seem to “disappear” as the occupant grows used to them. Pet toys, old rugs, plants, dirty laundry hampers, etc. can let off these odors. So, homeowners need to be extra aware of the scents their homes have acquired. To get a “fresh” outlook on a home, it helps to step outside for five minutes and flush out the nose before tracking down any potential problems.
If homeowners have issues with odors in their home, the best option is to get rid of or clean anything that smells and use odor eliminators, which will help eradicate odors rather than just mask them and potentially irritate a buyer’s allergies. If aromatherapy is a favorite pastime, homeowners should try switching to natural oils. They have shown to be less irritating than artificial scents. Before a showing or open house, the oils should be put away and the home should be aired out to lessen the presence of the odors. This will help prevent leaving a poor lasting impression on a buyer. After all, human beings are more likely to remember a bad experience than a good one.
© Meghan M. Riley, July 2010
Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840
Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362
Michelle Roberts, Buyer Specialist, 910-431-5686
Alexa Winstead, Marketing/Closing Coordinator 910.202.2547
Diligently working to exceed real estate expectations in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas including Ogden, Porters Neck, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne, Leland, Burgaw and Hampstead.
