You Don’t Notice It, But Most Buyers Will

Having you ever walked into a store, gotten into a car, or maybe even stepped into a friend's home and immediately picked up on an odor? Once you noticed it, do you remember how it took your focus away from everything else? Then, after a few minutes, you got used to as though it never existed in the first place.

Now let's apply this same experience to potential homebuyers. They're searching Toronto homes for sale and come across your lovely home. You've staged to perfection, priced within the market, cleaned and decluttered - but there's one thing you didn't notice that buyers will. You've guessed it: an odor.

So how do you know if your home has an odor if you can't smell it?

First, think of what's in your house. Do you have pets? Does anyone in the household smoke? Do you cook with strong spices, like curry? Do you use mothballs? Have you had any water leaks? If you answered yes to any of these, there's a very strong chance your home has some degree of odor.

Even if you answered no to everything above, you're still not in the clear. Truthfully, the only way to know for sure is to ask someone who will be honest.

So what can you do if you discover your home has a smell?

There's no shortage of deodorizing and fragrance-generating products on the market - but be careful. That last thing you want is a blend of bad smells with good ones. That's a surefire way to give everyone a headache. Try eliminating the odor first and/or using odor absorbers.

If the culprit is a kitty litter box, make sure it's cleaned regularly and stored in a closed area (like a closet or bathroom) with an odor absorber nearby. If it's pet dander, sprinkle a baking soda based deodorizer on the carpet and let it sit. If the smell still lingers after doing this a few times, it's time to call a professional carpet cleaner. Mothballs? Get rid of them. Strong spices, like curry? Don't cook with them if you expect showings, and when you do, open those windows! And finally, if the problem is cigarette smoke, then folks will just have to step outside when smoking.

Now that you have eliminated the odor, try one these delightful Simmering Pot recipes during your next open house or before a showing. Thinking of selling a home? Contact me for a free comparative market analysis.