Trust Your Nose

When you tour a potential home, you automatically rely on your eyes to notice the good, bad, and ugly. You may also use your sense of touch as you run your hands along countertops and flip open cabinets. But don’t neglect your nose when scoping out a potential home purchase. Your sense of smell can give you valuable clues to the condition of the home.

Some sellers light scented candles or stick a batch of cookies in the oven just before a tour. These may just be thoughtful gestures that accentuate a beautiful home. But if you smell cookies and candles and deodorizer and potpourri, it’s time to start wondering what unpleasant odors these scrumptious scents might be hiding.

Houses with water damage or poor ventilation may be harbors for mold and mildew, which leave a musty scent. Make sure to open cabinets below sinks, check drawers in kitchens and bathrooms, and sweep aside shower curtains. Even if mold has been cleaned out, you may find condensation in the windows, or notice bubbled or peeling paint around windows, doors, and vents. These telltale signs of moisture clinging to the walls may indicate a bigger problem.

Overpowering scents may also be an attempt to mask pet accidents or cigarette smoke. These odors seep into walls and carpets and can be difficult to clean out. Crouch down to the floor in carpeted rooms, and linger next to walls that are not next to windows to determine if unpleasant smells may cost you in the future.

Keep your nose on alert when touring the yard or property around the home. Whiffs of gas or sewage can indicate serious issues that may come with some large repair price tags in the future.