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Doyle Davison, 30 years as your Concierge services listing broker (Hawaiian Beaches Hawaii - 714-968-6767)

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Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

The first thing do to is take out the dead people!  

Jan 20, 2015 07:59 AM
Rainmaker
387,189
Dana Basiliere
Rossi & Riina Real Estate - Williston, VT
Making deals "Happen"

Doyle, 

You have received some excellent advice. I say do them in this order.

Eliminate source of odor.

If it is gone then (as a few have mentioned) run an Ozone machine for a day or so. Just don't stay in the house while it is running as it can irritate lungs and mucous membranes. Then the fresh paint and I might add that adding a bit of Vanilla extract in the paint can (stirred in) can help. 

I have an ozone machine and they work well. (we run into odors all the time when listing whether it is pets, smoking or other odors) 

Jan 21, 2015 10:23 PM
Rainmaker
539,468
Jerry Lucas
ABC Legal Docs LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Notary Training, Consulting. Colorado Springs, CO

An ultra-violet (UV) light (black light) can be used to reveal stains on carpets and walls that are not visible in normal light.  Cleaning carpets won't help if the odor is in the carpet padding.

Bury the dead bodies in the back yard of a competitor.  Then make an anonymous call to the police.

Jan 21, 2015 03:59 AM
Rainmaker
927,795
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

I am going to suggest an ionizer machine.   You can rent them.  Store some activated charcoal in a nice container with holes that no one will notice.  Baking soda all over carpeting and upholstery and vacuum it after it has been there for about four hours.  But there are other great suggestions here, too!

Jan 21, 2015 04:14 AM
Rainer
19,838
Cindy Dudley
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX

@Debra Peters, I was thinking the same thing..1 tiny dead mouse smells a long way.

Ozone machines do help.  But you have to find the source and remove it....blehhh.

Good luck with your open house.

Jan 21, 2015 10:31 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

It depends. Why it smells that bad?

If the property is wet and has mold, little you can do, open house might be a bad idea as well. If the owners have pets who created that stink,  a cleaning company can help, but not for long, the stink will be back.

Jan 20, 2015 04:02 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Have the bodies removed!  Just kiddng.  Carpeting and drapes, as well as fabric in furnature absorb odors. That is the first things I would address.

Jan 20, 2015 11:11 AM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

baking soda on the carpet absorbs a lot of odor, so does cat liter and an open bag of BBQ briquettes (unsued ones...).

Jan 20, 2015 10:56 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

Find the cause of the odor and deal with it!  Fresh paint can help, so can incense, sage, etc.

Jan 20, 2015 08:23 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

First, identfy the source of the smell. Running a dehumidifier could help some. Get a couple cans of Febreze. The original, not any of the scented ones. Placing some boxes of baking soda around might help a little as well.

Jan 20, 2015 06:46 AM
Rainmaker
90,543
Debra Peters
Referral Realty - Manorville, NY
NY Real Estate Salesperson

I would contact a cleaning or restoration company.  Do you know if the smell is coming from the floors/carpets, basement or all over?  Maybe an animal died in the basement, crawl space or under a porch.  Dead animals give off a rancid smell.  I tiny dead mouse also leaves a nasty stench!

Jan 20, 2015 03:08 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Doyle,

I would hire a cleaning company that cleans everything, walls, ceilings, cupboards, every nook and cranny.  I am sure there is someone who does that in your area.  A

Jan 20, 2015 02:56 AM
Rainer
149,298
Theresa Akin
CORPUS CHRISTI REALTY GROUP - Corpus Christi, TX

Find the source get rid of it. Call a pro if you can. It all depends on what the odor is. Had a couple who was going to list. They decided to tear out the carpet an clean the floors by the pros, put in new carpet and padding, painted the walls. Had it professionally clean. I put a CMA together and they chose not to sell:(  That was  4 years ago and they're still there. Oh, well! They did give me a couple referrals (2 sells within 4 months and we closed. So I still didn't lose.

Jan 22, 2015 04:57 AM
Rainer
55,368
Virginia Youngblood
DO-STAGE! LLC - an ASPM® Home Staging Company - Charlotte, NC
DO-STAGE! LLC - Home Stager - ASPM®

Doyle,

You use an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) to do your "dirty work" and to communicate the difficult information. We're your "bad guy"!! I do all of this when I meet with the Homeowner that the Broker has introduced me to BEFORE any showings, MLS pictures, Open Houses, etc. as the Broker's ASP stager.  You get a devoted ASP stager in your area and your issues would be resolved -- NO MORE listings with "dead people" smells!!  I have a very sensitive 'smeller' and I tell the Homeowner firmly, but politely, that "this" has got to be resolved before buyers will be attracted to "your lovely abode".

 

Jan 22, 2015 12:19 AM
Rainmaker
762,841
Cara Marcelle Mancuso
Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ
Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

Just reading the comment string makes me thing back to the time my buyer had the seller remove the bat guano from the attic...30 garbage bags weighing about 30 lbs each....

Jan 21, 2015 11:50 PM
Rainer
57,915
Vicki Temple
O'Fallon, IL

Could be animals that have died in the crawl or attic. I would have it well cleaned, carpet shampooed with an ordor remover(smells like bubble gum for 2 weeks - ordor gone) and rent and ozone machine for a few days. Those are really great!

Jan 21, 2015 11:45 PM
Rainer
392,768
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

As Jill Moog just mentioned, remove the source.  Then after the house is cleaned I have sprinkled half a box of baking soda onto the carpet in each room.  Leave it over night then vacuum.  (don't forget to empty the vacuum right away) After you vacuum then I put 1/4 cup of white vinegar into a small cup and placed it in or beside the floor vent.  The next morning the house smelled fine.  I have used this on 3 houses and it has worked every time.

Jan 21, 2015 11:10 PM
Rainmaker
516,983
Rain Silverhawk
Sandpoint Realty rain@lakeandhomes.com - Sandpoint, ID
208-610-0011 Sandpoint Idaho Real Estate Realtor

I had a listing one time that was so bad it made everyone gag, it was a bank owned and they were not willing to put anything into clean up.  It was heavy dog, cat, garbage and smoke.  Keeping up with your subject line....  After trying all the usual things I wound up getting a special cleaner from the mortuary.  It did a great job and might be worth a try.

Jan 21, 2015 11:06 PM
Rainmaker
196,080
Jill Moog
Coast & Country Homes and Estates, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
Carlsbad, CA Homes for Sale

First, find and remove the cause of the smell. If there are spots/stains causing the odor you can try using a natural enzyme formula like "Natures Miracle" or "Kids and Pets", it really works great!  You may need to  remove the entire carpet/padding if the smell has seeped through but use the enzyme formula on the subfloor as this is eliminate the smell from coming back. Then clean the rest of the house and  a fresh coat of paint should do the trick.

Jan 21, 2015 10:48 PM
Rainmaker
98,442
Jimmy Williams
Keller Williams Elite Partners IV - Mount Dora, FL
Lake and Western Orange County Real Estate Expert!

Paint, Fabreeze, Carpet Cleaning, and check the attic for dead rodents.

Jan 21, 2015 10:30 PM
Rainer
473,864
John Dotson
Preferred Properties of Highlands, Inc. - Highlands, NC - Highlands, NC
The experience to get you to the other side!

Dana - Wow I had never thought of adding vanilla extract to paint.  I have a couple of rental apartments and that is an excellent idea!

Jan 21, 2015 10:29 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

That ionizer idea may work. I don't kow what dead people smell like.

Jan 20, 2015 09:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

We've used some ozone treatments in the past that might help then some fresh paint afterwards can seal the deal so to speak. There are times when we never made it past the front doors also.

Jan 20, 2015 07:05 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Some odors just can't be removed easily.

I had a small ozone/ionizer machine I used for a while.  That help a lot

Jan 20, 2015 07:01 AM
Rainer
279,878
Dipti Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
On a team with Praful Thakkar

Good answer here.

May 30, 2018 10:13 PM
Rainmaker
1,432,649
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Other than dealing with the source in general painting is the best way to get a nice new smell in the place.

Jan 29, 2015 10:50 AM
Rainmaker
85,373
Ernest Villafranca
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate - Oakland, CA
3923 Grand Ave. Oakland CA, 510-418-9443

Face Mask

Jan 24, 2015 05:16 AM
Rainer
10,005
Dinah BuPane
League City, TX

Wow these are some good suggestions! I wonder though, could there be a negative outcome if you just cover up the smell, and not address where the smell is coming from?

Jan 22, 2015 11:59 AM
Rainer
158,165
Laura Moore
Coldwell Banker - Granite Bay, CA
Competent ~ Caring ~ Committed

Loving all these tips for getting bad smells out.

 

Jan 22, 2015 08:33 AM
Rainer
305,560
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

May I recommend clothes pins for the nose along with foot booties by the front door.   :-)   

Jan 22, 2015 06:49 AM
Rainer
51,536
Marilyn O'Donoghue
Long & Foster Avalon - Avalon, NJ

I read all the posts as I needed this knowledge as well.  Thank you

Jan 22, 2015 05:20 AM
Rainer
7,304
Patty Mamone
Staging Windy City, Inc. - Chicago, IL
Staging Windy City, Inc We Stage, You Sell, Done.

Is the house vacant or occupied? Is the seller aware of the problem?  If it's truly a dead animal, perhaps a skilled exterminating company can locate and remove it?

If possible, have all of the soft surfaces such as carpets, window treatments, upholstered furniture, etc.  removed.  Also,  when an owner has lived in a house for a long time, the closets can develop an "old" odor. This is just an accumulation of years worth of various odors that have collected on the clothing. Short of moving everything to storage, tucking unwrapped bars of soap in the closets helps freshen the air a bit.  The dryer sheets and lemon peels help as well.

If the owner's not on board, your options are limited.  Good luck. 

Jan 22, 2015 05:10 AM
Rainer
371,913
Travis "the SOLD man" Parker; Broker/Owner
Travis Realty - Enterprise, AL
email: Travis@theSOLDman.me / cell: 334-494-7846

I realize that we want to "hide" the smell to begin with, but as mentioned, if the source is not found, I hope the issue is addressed before someone buys it - hate for a lawsuit to pop up later.

Jan 22, 2015 04:46 AM
Rainmaker
1,107,863
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

All of the suggestions in the comments and post are great!  Ozone machines can work wonders. The suggestion of vinegar water simmering on the stove is new to me.

Jan 22, 2015 02:45 AM
Rainer
178,654
Ann Wilkins
Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty - Oakland, CA
Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont CA

I had a house with a stong curry smell.  We cleaned and cleaned - learned that curry becomes an oil and coats everything in the house.  Underneath cabinets, behind the stove, refrigerator.  I always came to the open house early,  cooked white vinegar and water on the stove, febreezed like crazy and opened all the windows.  It was a little less obtrusive but...was still present. 

Jan 22, 2015 02:36 AM
Rainer
23,484
Mary Ann Benoit
Northern Lights Home Staging and Design LLC - Seward, AK

Hire or suggest the client hire a home stager to work with the client to turn this situation around and get the house in great shape for showing. Let the home stager deal with this situation so you can spend your valuable time selling homes rather than dealing with "where the bodies are buried":).

Jan 22, 2015 01:42 AM
Rainer
19,839
Dave Kinkade
Home Locators Property Management Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL
Director of Marketing - Property Management

There have been some fine answers here.  I suspect you probably don't want to spend any more than  a few bucks to deal with the issue.  The quickest way to get you (at least) through showing the house is to get the plug-in air fresheners and scatter them, strategically, throughout the house.  Crack the windows to allow it to breathe and not be overpowered by the perfume.   I know this might sound a bit much but I always keep a bottle of neutrally-scented Febreeze in the car if I'm ever meeting someone at a house.  Unlike the others, Febreeze literally changes the air instead of adding perfumed odor to the existing smelly air.  Find and neutralize the source of the odor, to be certain, but the low-tech approach will probably get you through as long as there isn't something truly terrible causing the odor.

Jan 22, 2015 12:24 AM
Rainmaker
650,016
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Oh I think it is very difficult to get odors out of a home..animal odor, strong cooking odor, mildewy smells--even cleaning carpet, curtains, etc doesn't help at times.  Dead people smell?  That's a new one for me!

Jan 22, 2015 12:18 AM
Rainer
293,277
Ron Aguilar
Gateway Mortgage Group - Saint George, UT
Mortgage & Real Estate Advisor since 1995

thanks for all responses

Jan 21, 2015 11:08 PM
Rainer
438,118
Doyle Davison
Hawaiian Beaches Hawaii - 714-968-6767 - Huntington Beach, CA
30 years as your Concierge services listing broker

Gabe, I went to show a home before and someone had died on the couch. I worked for an air filter company and there were always dead rats that ate poison and would get on the catwalks. Smell was awful. I'm kind of gaging. 

Jan 20, 2015 09:52 AM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Ozone machine.

Sep 11, 2019 11:10 PM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

Few very good suggestions for sure.

Jan 19, 2018 11:30 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Doyle, well, you gotta get rid of the dead guys first!  Sounds like this one is way beyond a little vanilla on the light bulbs.  A couple of weeks ago at an office meeting we shared some fixes, and charcoal in bowls in the worst rooms was supposed to work.  Someone else suggested small bowls of vinegar placed in less than obvious places.  Good luck with this one!

Jan 26, 2015 10:45 PM
Rainer
438,118
Doyle Davison
Hawaiian Beaches Hawaii - 714-968-6767 - Huntington Beach, CA
30 years as your Concierge services listing broker

Liane Thomas - Corona & Riverside Real Estate The house is Full of furry people and Noah's ark.

Jan 26, 2015 10:54 AM
Rainmaker
236,403
Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent
Professional Realty Services® - Corona, CA
Bringing you Home!

You didn't say if the house was vacant or not...

assuming a vacant house, use those plug in or counter top air fresheners for several days before the open. The day of the open, spray with Febreeze and open some windows.

If the house is occupied, just ask them to open the windows the morning of the open and ask them to vacate an hour or so before. Get there early, wipe off dirty counters or whatever is contributing to the smell. Light tea light candles in kitchen and bath, and spray Febreeze on all the furniture and carpets and drapes.

Febreeze is the best for stinky listings.

Jan 26, 2015 01:19 AM
Rainer
130,752
Alex Piccirillo
Nest Seekers International - East Hampton, NY
Associate Broker

Hire a professional cleaner.

Jan 25, 2015 01:03 AM
Rainer
438,118
Doyle Davison
Hawaiian Beaches Hawaii - 714-968-6767 - Huntington Beach, CA
30 years as your Concierge services listing broker

I got a nose for these comments..

Jan 22, 2015 02:49 PM
Rainmaker
376,147
Lloyd Binen
Certified Realty Services - Saratoga, CA
Silicon Valley Realtor since 1976; 408-373-4411

I haven't read all the comments.  Has anyone else suggested marketing the home to Zombies instead of freshening up the smell?

Alternatively, citrus and herbal odors are best for conveying a clean, fresh smell. Squeeze lemon peels to release the citric acid in every room.

Jan 22, 2015 03:09 AM
Rainer
438,118
Doyle Davison
Hawaiian Beaches Hawaii - 714-968-6767 - Huntington Beach, CA
30 years as your Concierge services listing broker

Maybe the homeowner should try "Deodorant" hey it's a start..

Jan 22, 2015 02:30 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,871
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Strong odors of any type divert attention from the house for sale.

Curry and cigarette smoke have been problems with buyers with me.

Animal urine can get into flooring and below.  It's not the urine that causes the odor, it's the bacteria that grows in it. 

If we smell it in a house, we just cross that house off.

Jan 22, 2015 12:21 AM