The sense of smell is powerful. When prospective buyers walk into a
house, it is better for them to smell freshly baking oatmeal cookies rather than
kitty litter.
You may not notice odors that others may pick up as soon as they walk in
the door. If your house is for sale, ask a friend or neighbor to give it a
"sniff test". If there are offensive smells, how do you get rid of
them? Sometimes there are obvious and simple solutions--a good scrubbing, the
old vanilla-on-the-light-bulb trick or throwing out the dog's special chair. You
can temporarily declare your home a "no smoking" zone. You may need
professional help for cleaning carpets and drapes or deodorizing walls and wood
floors. Your Realtor will be able to provide you with a list of cleaning
services which can assist you in making your home smell clean and fresh.
