What's That Smell? Pet Odors Can Turn Off Potential Home Buyers

Don't get me wrong. I love my cat and my dog. Truth be told, if I had a bigger home I'd probably have even more pets. But as a Realtor advising my pet-loving homeowners what to do in order to get their homes ready to sell, I often tell them NOT to trust their own noses.

One of the things that we take most for granted in our day-to-day lives are the odors around us. Does your basement smell musty? Does your car's trunk need to be aired out? Do you smell something sweet or sour when you first walk into your home? Your nose may not be the best judge of how your life really smells.

It's not that we can't smell the odors around us; it's simply that our noses get used to the smells. This is due to a phenomenon called "sensory adaptation." During sensory adaptation our brain adapts, recognizes that the constant smell is not dangerous and stops identifying it so it is not overloaded with redundant information. We perceive the smell to be fading, allowing us to adapt to our environment and perceive new smells.

So what's a pet-loving homeowner to do when you're ready to sell your home?

First of all, ask a good friend (preferably one you can trust to be brutally honest) to check out the smells of your home as they first enter. Can they smell the dirty litter box? Does your living room remind them of a dog kennel? OK, you get the drift. Just because your nose has stopped identifying the smells doesn't mean that potential buyers won't get turned off by those same smells.

If you're thinking of selling your home, take a quick read of this great article in order to learn how to banish those pet odors and stop turning off potential home buyers: "Pet Odor Can Chase Away Buyers."

Thinking of selling your home this year?

Contact me and ask about my FREE "Smart Home Pricing System," a $900 value.

You can reach me at www.GoHomeWithMichael.com