When putting your home on the market, you are certain to receive a lot of advice – some good, some…not so good. Paint your front porch blue, bury a statue of St. Joseph in your front yard, burn sage to clean out any bad energy, bake cookies before a showing, just to name a few. But, a recent article in U.S. News & World Report states that there is a science-backed reason to create an inviting scent for prospective buyers when they enter your home.
Pleasant scents can put people at ease and cultivate positive memories. Good smells can subconsciously and positively affect the way prospective buyers feel about your home, even encouraging them to gravitate toward a property more than they would otherwise. Too many or overpowering scents may work against you, making skeptical buyers worry that the you’re working overtime to mask an offensive odor, or worse, cover up a structural problem such as mold or sewage issues. So, it’s important to choose the right scents to evoke positive feelings or memories.
Scents That Sell
First and foremost, your home should smell clean. The easiest way to make that happen? Make sure your home IS clean. With that as a foundation, you can easily layer on another simple scent to help convey warmth, comfort, and livability. The best options include:
- Citrus – Citrus fruit scents, such as lemon and mandarin orange, are synonymous with cleanliness and freshness. There’s a reason why many cleaning products come in these scents.
- Fresh Linen – Enjoy the scent of freshly done laundry? Fresh linen is a fantastic option for when you want your home to look and smell neat, clean, and crisp.
- Jasmine – Another inviting option for a calm, welcoming home is the scent of jasmine. Sweet, floral, and delicate, jasmine is a solid option for those seeking a less common, but still charming scent.
- Vanilla – Warm, cozy, and classic, vanilla is a great go-to when it comes to scents for your home. You may opt for candles and a reed diffuser or choose to go the old-fashioned way and bake cookies before a showing (who forgets the home that offered cookies?). Either way, vanilla is a tried-and-true option to make your home memorable.
- Pine – Pine is another scent that is fresh, clean, and crisp. Be careful which pine scent you choose. Opt for the warm, Christmas-tree aroma vs. an artificial one that is too reminiscent of harsh cleaning products.
Scents That Can Spook
Just as there are scents that sell, there are also those that can send potential buyers running. Be sure to rid your home of smells that can be off-putting such as cigarette smoke, garbage, harsh chemicals, pets, litter boxes, foods that smell fishy, use strong spices, or have bold, lasting aromas, and finally, bathroom smells or body odor.
When it comes to selling a home, it’s often the little things that can make all the difference. Captivate potential buyers not only with what they see when they enter your home, but also with what they smell.
Have questions about selling your home? Get in touch with MODE Real Estate – we are here to help!