4 House Smells That Should Concern You When Buying a Home

4 House Smells That Should Concern You When Buying a Home

When you’re in the hunt for a new home you can’t help but scrutinize every aspect of a potential new residence. From curb appeal, beds and baths, a well-appointed kitchen, and ample home storage space, to neighborhood safety and a good school district—everything matters. So, when you visit a home and you notice a funny smell, be sure not to dismiss it as harmless. Beware of these four house smells that should be cause for concern when buying a home.

Smell #1. Fish

Like the saying goes: fish and house guests stink after three days. If a home you visit has the distinct smell of fish, it may not be because the homeowners couldn’t get rid of the smell from last night’s dinner.

A fishy smell in a house could indicate an electrical problem. Electrical outlets or wires that overheat can give off a fishy odor due to burning plastic insulation. These overheated components could start an electrical fire.

Smell #2. Ammonia

It’s hard to ignore the smell of ammonia. Although the distinct scent can be mistaken for things like cat urine or cleaning products, an intense odor that emanates from a kitchen near a refrigerator could indicate a leak in coolant lines or in the refrigerator’s defrost pan. This could result in a fire hazard.

Smell #3. Rotten Eggs

Eggs for breakfast can be a welcome aroma. Smelling eggs inside of a home outside of mealtime can be problematic. When you visit a prospective new home, and the smell of eggs greets you inside, be wary. The odor could point to a gas leak from natural gas, hydrogen sulfide, or propane. Gas leaks present serious threats to your health and safety in the way of gas inhalation and the potential for a combustible fire!

Smell #4. Dampness, Mustiness

If you detect a musty smell in a room of a home you’re interested in buying, or a sense of dampness in a particular area of the residence, be sure to question it.

These conditions could indicate that the home has a moisture problem. A musty smell is typically the result of the presence of mildew, which thrives in environments that are damp. A home that has a leaky roof or leaky pipes can create excess dampness and the perfect conditions for the growth of mildew.

In each instance listed above a professional home inspector can identify any of these potential problems before you decide to sign on the dotted line to purchase a home.

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At Alexandra Janz AJ International Group Naples, the team of Alexandra Janz & Juergen Haeringer, Broker Associates & Luxury Properties Specialists with William Raveis-Florida, LLC, help clients realize their dreams of purchasing a luxury home and basking in the glow of the Naples and Southwest Florida luxury lifestyle. Alexandra is not only an expert in the real estate market in Naples and Southwest Florida, but in international markets as well.

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