Mould, dogs and cats, if it smells it won’t sell

IT’S time to talk unpleasant odours in the house.

This could be within your own home, your friend’s or family’s house, or maybe a home you have inspected on a recent property search.

Maybe you haven’t noticed and others are too polite to mention it.

It is a brave, some would say foolhardy real estate agent who will dare mention this to an unsuspecting client and risk the listing.

During my years in the real estate industry I did dare on a number of occasions, resulting in a range of reactions, from appreciative to the exact opposite.

If you consider this stinky subject in relation to people, it can be even more of a challenge.

Do you mention it or not and, If you do, what next?

Simply handing over a can of deodorant may not be the answer.

I witnessed this in action years ago when my then manager said nothing, but handed the deodorant to my guilty male colleague. Let’s just say the outcome was interesting.

The topic of odour in a home or on a body makes for a tough discussion.

Dog owners, cat owners, smokers and parents of teenagers are all potentially affected; or those in homes with drainage issues, damp, mould or insufficient ventilation.

Even neglecting to launder bedding regularly can make a difference, while carpets, drapes and other household fabrics can all harbour nasty niffs.

It is your home, so if it smells like a footy player’s socks and you’re selling, beware, or buyers will recall your home for all the wrong reasons. If you are about to list, here are a few tips to keep your home fresh. • Pet owners: Consider restricting the animal’s access to certain areas of the home.

Professionally clean all fabric chairs, sofas and carpets and protect these with covers that can be removed for inspections.

Litter trays are never to be seen or smelled. And don’t forget the messages left around the yard.

Also, canines love a pane of glass to lick, sniff or put their paws on, so glass at this level will need ongoing cleaning. • Smokers: Don’t just think standing outside the sliders is enough.

Even outside close to the home the smell will be detected and the smell of stale smoke is hated by buyers. • Bedrooms must be ventilated and bedding must be freshly laundered regularly, or before each inspection, plus rugs or carpets should be professionally cleaned.

Some teenagers’ rooms can add further challenges to the bedroom dilemma. I suggest financial bribery to encourage cleanliness during the sale process. • Waste drainage issues and any mould or damp should have been solved.

However, sometimes a leak, although repaired, can allow moisture to get trapped and become further mould. Obtain professional advice if an issue persists. • Clean, fresh toilets, sparkling vanities and kitchen benchtops, along with shiny sinks, all ensure your home remains odour-free.

Unless the weather is too cool, always try to keep fresh air circulating.

Now the nasty niffs are at bay, how about introducing pleasant scents to enhance the home? While we all agree on what stinks, the debate about what smells perfect is far more complex. • Fresh laundered bathroom towels and bedding can generate a very pleasant, clean scent. • Fresh flowers are an advantage, both visually and in the olfactory sense.

Unfortunately, flowers that last longer after being cut tend to be the ones with less fragrance. Florists can give you advice on which types to use. Some people are adding fresh herbs to enhance scents. • Scented candles can provide a lovely ambient fragrance, but select wisely. Some handmade soaps can work well in your bathroom, too.

So before listing, take a good deep breath and, if you’re really brave, get more than one opinion.