Mike Holmes Says To Watch Out For Air Fresheners When Buying A Home. Here's What Our Expert Had To Say

From the amount it costs to the time it takes to close, there are about a million good reasons to put in your best effort when checking out a new home. Fortunately, part of the process allows you to lean on experts like quality real estate agents and inspectors to guide you along the way. Then there's the due diligence you have to manage yourself. You'll be more confident in your decisions when you're educated on everything you should do before closing on a house, especially when it comes to looking for red flags.

With decades of home improvement experience behind him, HGTV's Mike Holmes knows how signs like overpowering air fresheners can indicate serious problems. As Holmes notes on his Make It Right blog, smells tell a story. You could notice funky odors that might mean mold, electrical issues, or structural degradation. Or, it may be the opposite, with strong air fresheners revealing a seller's vague attempts at concealing underlying damage. Holmes states, "If there are strong air fresheners being used during the open house, or windows open in the middle of the winter, chances are the homeowners are trying to cover up a smell."

Does that mean you should always be suspicious of a fragrant house? Speaking exclusively with House Digest, Eric Bramlett, owner at Bramlett Real Estate, explained, "Quite often, home sellers could just be using an air freshener to create an inviting smell when conducting property viewings. That being said, if the smell is extremely strong and overpowering, then this could indicate that they're trying to mask something."

While Mike Holmes is correct in suggesting a healthy skepticism can save you from disastrous issues, that doesn't mean you must go into every viewing with outright distrust. In many cases, an air freshener is a harmless, budget-friendly trick for staging a home. "It could be as simple as the owners having pets and they're wanting to hide the smell so it's not off-putting to potential buyers," Eric Bramlett stated when speaking exclusively with House Digest. Still, Bramlett recognizes there are exceptions. For hopeful buyers, it's always crucial to investigate any curious odors, good or bad.

"Larger issues could mean trying to hide the musty smell of mold within a property. Smoke damage from a fire or cigarette smoke could be other smells that the seller may be trying to hide," Bramlett explained. Assess the scent and know when to take it as a sign that you should do a closer look. "If you enter a property and are greeted by a pleasant fresh scent that is familiar, then more often than not the owner has just used air freshener to create an inviting odor during property viewings," Bramlett said. "If the odor is overpowering and unnatural, then this is where you should remain cautious during a viewing. Pay close attention to the property, looking out for signs of mold or water damage, which could be the reason why the owner is trying to mask a smell."

Whether they're hiding troubling odors or simply trying to make the place more homey, sellers often add appealing atmospherics like the scent of baked goods or fresh floral bouquets. As Eric Bramlett described in his House Digest exclusive interview, you may notice any of several possible cover-ups, such as diffusers, scented candles, incense, or essential oils. "Another trick which is clever is to leave freshly ground coffee out in your kitchen, as this smell can also be used to cover up other odors," he said.

As you inspect your potential new home, nobody can blame you for getting a little (ahem) nosy. Do deep checks behind fixtures and in odd nooks, particularly if anything seems suspicious. Bramlett suggests paying particular attention to upholstery and carpets, where odors can linger. 

When you're still not 100% certain, just ask. "To help put your mind at ease, open and honest dialogue with the seller is always something I advise," Bramlett remarked. "Politely ask the seller, 'Does the property currently experience any odor issues, perhaps caused by mold or damp?'. From here, you can usually gauge by their response if they're trying to hide a smell that is being caused by a serious issue in the property."