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Hi folks. First time poster here, enjoy your posts and insights on the housing market on LI. I went to an open house last week and saw a wonderful home in Nassau. The home was a little outdated but Im fairly handy and can do the slight refurbishment/remodeling necessary. I can get a wonderful deal on this home the title of this thread is my only concern. The house wreaked of a spicy smell. The home has been occupied by an Indian family for approx. 10 years. My friend(who is Indian btw) said not to buy the home because the smell will never truly go away as it permeates the walls and carpeting etc. This seems a little far fetched to me. Does anybody know/ have experience. I really want this home and this is only thing holding me back.
Oh good lord...you will be fine (I am a second gen indian) Mom..so I do know a little bit about curry smell. Heck it even bothers me sometimes LOL. But yes..you will be fine...open up the windows and air the house out like you normally would. Unless the home is absolutely filthy and there was curry spices matted in the rugs..you will be fine.
What I am saying is that once you move in...they will be gone...so the cause of the odors will be gone. But it may take some elbow grease--kind of like a gooooood spring cleaning. Maybe make it a condition of purchase. "home must be steam cleaned and degreased?"
In addition to following mom2gurls advice, I would suggest you plan to rip out the carpets and remove all draperies. Carpets and drapes will absorb and retain odors.
In addition to following mom2gurls advice, I would suggest you plan to rip out the carpets and remove all draperies. Carpets and drapes will absorb and retain odors.
Agreed, replace the soft surfaces that would absorb odors. A good mopping of tile and wood floors and a fresh coat of paint throughout will have the place smelling brand new.
I agree with ripping out all carpet and completely painting every wall and ceiling. Just before we bought our house, a real estate agent told us about a place that sounded wonderful...until you smelled the curry. Even the agent suggested having it professionally fumigated. The overpowering smell was a turn off and we looked further.
oh..if are getting a great deal in this market....that is also a big positive! BTW...the owners may have been lighting incense/candles during their prayers too (if they were religious)--and you can get "indian smelling candles"--so maybe that is there too. That is easy though..once the candles/incense are gone..so will the smell. Its like walking into a yankee candle store..you smell the candles because they are present, but once they are not present, there is no smell. good luck!
Paint the house with a primer...specifically KILZ Oil based primer. Make sure it's the oil based one, they have latex also. Then paint normally. It works on fire damage which is the worst odor to get rid of. I used to rehab fire apartments, I know what I speak of. Good luck.
My DD bought a "curry" smelling house a few years ago and it worked out fine! She aired the house out, cleaned the carpeting and (eventually) painted. And now I see ads about a new paint that has something in it to take away odors? Maybe Arm & Hammer added to it?
Anyway, I say go for it!
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