Home Scent Appeal

Posted by Monica Foster On December 20, 2011 In Home Selling

Sensory research shows that the smell of a home, or home scent appeal, can affect a buyer’s mood. Light floral fragrances convey a pleasant mood, citrus scents an energizing mood, and vanilla a comforting and relaxing mood. However, too much scents can be construed as an attempt to cover up bad odors. Here are some tips to minimize bad home smells:

Take out the trash often and before showings
Run garbage disposal often and before showings
Eliminate smoking inside the home or cooking odor causing foods (e.g. fish).
Use an air ionizer to remove bad smells such as from smoke or pet odors (best to be used when the home is unoccupied)
Regularly clean areas used by pets
Clean air ducts
Use odor eliminators such as PureAyre or Zero Odor that can be injected into furniture and carpets or sprayed into the air. Often buyers will be turned off by air fresheners, are suspicious of their use and turn them off when entering a home.

During showings and open houses you may also want to: