I’m looking forward to cooler fall weather. Locally, it’s been a year of extremes. We endured weeks of rain, followed by memorably high temperatures. Because I visit so many homes myself and with clients, I’ve absorbed a lot of feedback about the way home odors come across.
In heat and high humidity, there are more water molecules in the air, which bind and carry odorous particles into our noses. Odors from pets, cooking, dampness, and tobacco are much stronger when the air is humid. Open windows and fresh air feel healthy (unless you are avoiding pollen) but climate control improves the level of humidity and keeps odors at bay. In addition to providing temperature comfort, heat and AC are helpful for a fresh-smelling home.
Read: There’s Something About Thursday here: https://theconnectionsnj.com/theres-something-about-thursday/
The smell of good food cooking makes your mouth water, and it’s one of the joys of living. But when the odor lingers indefinitely, it can be negative. Last night’s meatloaf may have been delicious, but people don’t want to notice it while house-hunting the next day. Exterior-vented exhaust fans are extremely popular in modern kitchens, because they reduce the effects of stale cooking odor, preventing it from sticking to carpet and fabric.
Our noses are designed to warn us of danger: of course, inhaling toxic chemicals, mildew, or mold should set off olfactory alarms. Professional work may be required to clean and prepare a home space, if it’s been flooded, damaged, or infested. For regular basement dampness, using a dehumidifier works well.
If a home has a strong odor, you can’t cover it up with air freshener. Heavily perfumed products or candles won’t make your home smell like roses instead of smoke. In reality, perfumes make your home smell like roses AND smoke. Regarding pets, laundry, cigars, or mothballs: if we are inviting potential buyers into a home, our goals are Clean, Dry, and Odor-Neutral.
Each person’s reaction to smell is personal, and can vary as greatly as decorative style. When preparing or staging a home for sale, I recommend color choices, furniture placement, and decluttering, with the goal of improving overall appeal to a majority of buyers. People use their ears, eyes AND noses when selecting a home. A home’s odor profile is just as important as its noise factor and appearance.
Local expert Johanna Wiseman of RE/MAX Preferred Professionals can be reached at 908-705-0652, or visit www.MyBridgewaterHome.com