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First, the homeowners must recognize their homes have odor issues. Number one worst odor, cat urine, next is use of curry for cooking, third is dirty diapers. I was asked to give a market evaluation on a potentially lovely listing, beautiful landscape with rolling hillside location, great curb appeal, it would sell immediately for a premium sales price. I walked into the interior and was just about knocked down by the odor, never experienced anything so terrible. I attempted to discuss this with them and they were deeply offended, insisting I was making it up to devalue the property. Obviously, I did not get the listing but they did list it with a person who let it sit for eighteen months. When I got home, my husband wanted to know what horrible smell was on my clothes and my two dachshunds hair went up on their backs and they ran from me. LOL. Also, if every realtor was honest, they were terrified to list homes owned by people from India, their cooking was horrific and a dead end for selling, which could not be discussed because of civil rights.

Thanks for the insight—realtors who are friends have always said the sellers can be very difficult to deal with at times.

It sounds like the “odor” issue is a good example of that.

Imho one of the best services a realtor can provide a seller is an objective discussion of “issues” and how they can be addressed or at least mitigated.

if every realtor was honest, they were terrified to list homes owned by people from India, their cooking was horrific and a dead end for selling, which could not be discussed because of civil rights.

A friend who worked in a crafts store said they dreaded when an Indian person would return a length of fabric, because it could not be resold even at a discount due to the cooking odors. But the manager would make them take it back and give the refund. She opined that some of them bought a long bolt of colorful cloth, used it as a tablecloth, and then returned it.

We have a rental house next to our home. Indians awhile ago, now some muslims. Both were/are nice enough. But at dinner time the SMELL!! I’ve gotten to the point where I make sure I’m done with my outside work by then.

I was telling my wife - “So you figure when he comes home from work the husband steps out of his car and thinks ‘Yum, she’s making my favorite tonight!” (I’m guessing he does.)

I wonder if the smell of BBQ ribs smells gross to them. Probably.