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I went to an open house the other day on a house I really like. The agent had your typical vanilla-ish scented candle in the kitchen and I think one or two others in other parts of the house. One of the bedroom windows was open even though it was cold and raining (I was thinking maybe since it was obviously a small child's room, there had recently been a stinky diaper/stinky toddler in there ), though there was no smell. With the candles and the open window, I have to wonder if there is an odor they are trying to mask. Wet climate, so I worry about mold. When I make an appointment to see the house again, do you think asking the agent to ask the seller not to have candles lit would be reasonable, or should they just do whatever they're comfortable with and the inspection down the road will show any problems possibly causing odors?
I would ask them to nix the candle. Why would you pay for a home inspection if you can smell funny odors upon a showing. You should do your due diligence before making an offer as much as possible.
I would ask them to nix the candle. Why would you pay for a home inspection if you can smell funny odors upon a showing. You should do your due diligence before making an offer as much as possible.
Ditto here - if I was a buyer and noticed scented candles, windows open even when cold/raining I as well would want to see the house again without anything covering up odors. You'll get a good idea of the 'type' of odors they're possibly covering up - dirty diapers one thing, mold or pet/child urine in carpeting/pad or wall something else entirely.
Indeed, why on earth would one want to light a scented candle at housing showing? On the other hand, if I haven't seen this thread, I would never give it a thought if I were in the same situation.
At first, I thought you were asking if it would be acceptable to tell the seller they should get rid of the candles for showings to other people. I was coming in to say "its none of your business". But for a future showing for YOU, I would say absolutely that would be acceptable.
Be aware though, that if they want to cover up a smell, and you say no candles, they may do something devious, like bake cookies just before you come over.
You also mentioned that the window was open. Goodness, is it not winter where you live? Its COLD here. I can't imagine having a window open this time of year. You said it was cold and raining. An open window in that weather would make me far more suspicious than the candle.
It smells like they're trying to cover up pet odors as well. I'm very sensitive to smells as I get migraines, and there are many times when my feedback to the listing agents is to nix the smells if they want the average person to stay in the house long enough to enjoy it and decide to write an offer. I've had tons of buyers turn around and walk out when the smells were too strong.
Get a mold test kit at HD for 9 bucks. The candle won't matter.
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in the kitchen and I think one or two others in other parts of the house. One of the bedroom windows was open even though it was cold and raining (I was thinking maybe since it was obviously a small child's room, there had recently been a stinky diaper/stinky toddler in there 
), though there was no smell. With the candles and the open window, I have to wonder if there is an odor they are trying to mask. Wet climate, so I worry about mold. When I make an appointment to see the house again, do you think asking the agent to ask the seller not to have candles lit would be reasonable, or should they just do whatever they're comfortable with and the inspection down the road will show any problems possibly causing odors?
