Most of us form a quick impression of a home the first time we visit when we're home shopping. We look for things like the curb appeal, how well the home is maintained, whether we like the color and style, how we feel about the detailing, and whether the size works for us. Many of us also consider the neighborhood, and evaluate the nearby homes to look for things like how well they're maintained, or subtle lifestyle cues - like kids' toys. But one thing that many people neglect to consider is sounds and smells - and they can play a huge role in quality of life and resale potential!

Both Sounds and Smells can Impact Your Resale Potential - and Your Quality of Life!

Imagine this: you find the perfect home. It's got a lovely yard, the home itself is laid out perfectly, and it has all the amenities you want. You move in, and the very first day in your new home, you find out that one of the neighbors has a dog that barks for eight hours straight when he goes to work! Or that there's a factory a few blocks away that produces a burnt rubber smell you can't seem to disguise no matter how many cookies you bake. Sounds and smells make a major impact on quality of life, and they can also make it difficult to sell a home when it's time to move!

Visit at Different Times of Day and on Different Days

When you're shopping for a home, it's important to visit the home at different times of day, and on different days, in order to check for unpleasant sounds and smells. That dog might not be barking when the owner is home, or the smells coming from the factory may not waft your way on the weekend when it's closed. You need to check out the area multiple times to really vet it for sounds and smells, and it's a good idea to ask neighbors if there's anything you need to be aware of when you're considering a home.