TRACEY RICH

If you are looking for one EASY BIG RED FLAG....take notice of any unusual SMELLS when you tour a home. Smells are something you can't see in photos. Smells are often indicative of something underlying that you can't see. First off, if they have a very strong room deodorizer (plug-in for example) there could be an odor that they are trying to mask. A very strong musty odor (not a typical basement damp smell) could mean mold or mildew are growing somewhere (possibly behind a wall), which could indicate either water intrusion or a possible previous leak that wasn't discovered in a timely manner. Pet smells are another one. If you smell an ammonia smell, it could be indicative of something way more dangerous than just a cat or a dog. You should test the HVAC for harmful chemical contaminants that can be traced in the heating/cooling system if tested. Speaking of animal smells, cleaning and/or putting Kilz on baseboards or sub-flooring may not necessarily knock out those odors. Certain pet accidents can actually seep into baseboards or sub-flooring and eventually re-emerge. The same goes for smoke. If you smell a smoky odor, either someone has smoked inside the home, which is very difficult (but not impossible to eliminate) or it could be evidence of a recent wood-burning fireplace use. Some people adore this smell and makes them feel "at home". Wood-burning fireplaces most people either love or hate. That being said, you might see a wood-burning fireplace in a photo but the seller may have never used it, which you wouldn't know until you were in the physical space. I hope this is helpful!