Raven Mullan Blog
The Nose Knows!
October 1st 2023
Deal Breakers for Buyers : Stinky Stuff
In the competitive world of real estate, first impressions are everything, and few things make a more immediate impact than scents. Whether you're selling your home or trying to buy one, noxious odours can be a deal breaker. Pungent culprits can send buyers running to another listing.
1. Wet Dog, Sports Equipment, and Cat Urine: Odours That Linger
Wet dog and smelly sports gear are immediate turn-offs especially if your buyer isn’t passionate about sports and pets.. Cat urine is brutal. Few chemicals neutralize it, and if it soaks into concrete, sealing might be the only option.
2. Strong Cooking and Food Odours: A Recipe for Disappointment
Garlic, curry, fish, or kimchi may be delicious, but strong cooking odours can be overwhelming for potential buyers.
These smells often raise concerns about whether they're embedded in floors, paint, carpets, or drywall, leading to worries about future costs for eradication.
3. Tobacco Smoke: The Ultimate Value Reducer
Even if you smoke in the garage, tobacco smoke odour infiltrates the house.
This smell, more than any other, significantly reduces the home's value in the eyes of potential buyers.
4. Plug-in Air Fresheners: Migraines and Turned-Away Buyers
Ironically, air fresheners meant to mask odours can be a deal breaker.
Plug-in air fresheners can trigger migraines for buyers, causing them to avoid entering the home altogether.
5. The Fear of Embedded Odors
Buyers face uncertainty about whether odours are deeply embedded in the property.
They worry about potential costs for eradication, such as replacing floors, repainting, or addressing issues with carpets and drywall.
Noxious odours are powerful deal breakers in the real estate market. They evoke immediate, visceral reactions from potential buyers and can lead to quick decisions to move on. To ensure a successful sale, it's essential to address and neutralize these odours thoroughly. Remember, in the world of real estate, the nose knows, and it can make or break a deal.