Aerovex Formerly Modern Solutions

There is help for houses with odor concerns.  Today’s houses have been made more air tight and consequently hold in odors from a large variety of sources that usually go unchecked. Making matters worse is the fact that the people who live in a home are the least likely to smell the odors in that home. They get accustomed to the smells and therefore think they are of no concern to others.

Odors in a home can not only be potentially offensive to a home buyer but they can also be detrimental to the health of those living in the house. If you are selling a home and a Realtor suggested you visit this web site, it is because your Realtor wants to help you sell your house promptly. Houses that do not sell fast can cost you money month after month and typically need to have the price reduced.

Odors are not something to be embarrassed about, but they are certainly something you should correct if you wish to sell your home faster. In today’s competitive marketplace, you want every advantage.

Would you buy a house that has unusual odors in it?

Many people do not. In fact, some home buyers are “turned off” the moment they step through the door of a home. They lose interest in a property that would have otherwise been attractive. Some will not purchase an odoriferous home because of health concerns associated with pets odors, cigarette smoke or mold and mildew. For other people, smelling odors simply promotes a subconscious, unsanitary feeling about the house.

Covering up odors is not advisable.

Many sellers understand odors to be a marketing problem and try to cover up odors with chemical plug in devices, candles, potpourri, or by baking bread or cookies just before showings. Covering up odors can be disadvantageous for two reasons:

1) Covering up odors has led to litigation where home sellers have been successfully sued by home buyers. This is most common with pet odors that become reactivated and intensified with subsequent carpet cleaning or increased humidity. I have heard of cases with financial damages ranging up to $20,000.00. The courts are sympathetic to consumers and recognize that covering up pet urine problems is no different than covering up any other type of defect. When odors are present, it might be wise to have the house professionally analyzed to determine the sources and severity of the problem.

2) Covering up odors by adding chemical deodorizers (misnomer) or other masking type products can make matters even worse for people with allergies or asthma. If you are one of the many millions of people who suffer, you know how bad this can be. I have known buyers who did not perceive a problem during the initial showing but after spending some time in the home during the inspection, could not even stay in the house. Their breathing would become labored, eyes would water, their voice would stop or they would get headaches, etc. These potential problems can easily be avoided.

Understanding and Eliminating Odors

Some of the odors that cause buyers to walk away from homes are caused by pets, cigarettes, LP and natural gas leaks, sewer gasses, unusual cooking spices, and mold or mildew. Sometimes the odors are from multiple sources.

Depending on the source, each odor can have a specific course of action to eliminate it or keep it under control. The first step is to discover where the odors are originating from. On occasion, an odor source can be obvious, but often it is best to hire a professional to locate the sources and recommend the appropriate courses of action. A home odor investigation and consultation also includes combustible gas leak detection on all accessible gas lines. If pets are present, a separate urine inspection may also be in order. (See urine inspections.)

Some odors can be eliminated by strategic cleaning or repairing of specific source areas. Other odors can literally be impregnated into the walls, woodwork, carpet, sub floors, window treatments, etc. These difficult types of odors are best eliminated by “purifying” the air (not filtering). The purified air then goes everywhere the odors went to annihilate them. Air purifiers work on the same principle as the air outdoors, which by the way, is why we go “out” for fresh air. Portable air purification systems can be purchased or rented for this purpose. They can also be used continually to prevent odors and reduce air contaminants. A home with clean, odor free air can make a nice impression.

Eliminating odors may cost a little up front but compare that to the cost of having a home sit on the market for long time or hearing back from an angry buyer.

Realtors and Sellers

If you are selling a house with odors, it is in your best interest to promptly eliminate them. First, the house will have a better chance of selling fast. I have seen beautiful homes sit on the market for months and then right after removing the odor problem, they sell. Again, in a competitive market, it makes sense to take every advantage for a fast sale. Secondly, it makes for a happy homebuyer which protects the reputation of the Realtor and reduces the liability for a seller. It simply makes no sense to cover up a problem when it could likely be resolved inexpensively.
 

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