Battle of the Bad Smells: Real Estate Edition
– Old houses, while charming, often come with an unwelcome house guest: a musty, dusty ‘old house smell.’
– Lingering unpleasant odors can have significant effects on both living quality for homeowners and potential sale value.
– This mustiness is usually caused by one of three common culprits: Mold/mildew, lack of ventilation, or aged materials like carpet or paint.
– You can take steps to mitigate these smells ranging from DIY home remedies to hiring professional services, depending on severity.
– Simple solutions like cleaning your home thoroughly, regularly airing it out, and regularly replacing soft furnishings and other absorbing materials can go a long way.
– More severe problems may necessitate significant repairs or replacements like new carpets, HVAC system overhauls, or treating mold and mildew problems.
The ‘Smelly’ Wrap Up
Ever walk into an old house and wonder if you’ve accidentally stepped into your grandmother’s overused, sweaty gym sock? Yeah, we’ve all been there. That pungent, sinus-clearing smell is a reality for homeowners of older properties, affectionately (and somewhat unoriginally) dubbed “old house smell.” Nosing into what causes this olfactory assault rounds us up to the usual suspects: the nasty Mold Squad, the Party Pooper Poor Ventilation, and the Aging Crumbly Crew.
But fear not, whether you’re playing host to said smell or trying to convince prospective buyers that your home isn’t the set of a 70s retro horror flick, there are solutions that won’t have you wishing for a gas mask. A thorough spring cleaning or some fresh air might just do the trick if you’re lucky. If not, you might need to call in the big guns, Raj the Rug Replacer or Hank the HVAC Hero. But trust me, clearing Bad Smell Boulevard is worth the effort, and your nose (and/or real estate agent) will thank you!
Final Hot Take
When it comes to the smell of your house, remember this: the nose knows! Just like in a spaghetti western showdown, the good, the bad, and the ugly can all come down to the ol’ olfactory organ. So when you’re trying to freshen up your place, don’t just air out your dirty laundry (literally and figuratively). Get on in and tackle the mustiness head-on. Because, let’s face it, the only thing that should smell old in your house is a finely aged wine or a well-preserved first-edition book. Not a whiff of ancient carpet and moldy air vents. Get sniffing, then get to work!
Original article: https://www.redfin.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-old-house-smell/
