First impressions can make or break a home sale. Within 20 seconds of walking through a home a buyer has already made up their mind if the home is not what they want. As a buyer walks through a door at least 3 of their senses are engaged: what they hear, see, and smell.

From all my years of showing property, I can walk into many homes blindfolded and tell you who or what is living there. Babies, teenagers, smokers, and pets all have a smell. 

Here are my secrets for great showing:

  1. Be Q-tip clean.  A home that is that clean is usually a home that smells like it is clean!  
  2. Take out the kitchen trash before a showing. There may be something in there that your nose has grown accustomed to which is offensive to others.
  3. Smoking? Take it outside. An ionizer can help remove some of the smoke smells.
  4. Empty litter boxes at the last minute before you leave and take the box outside or the garage. Also remove your pets from the home during a showing. Regularly clean pet bedding clean as dander can leave smells that you may be accustomed but are noticible to others. 
  5. Don't cook smelly foods while your home is on the market. Several years ago at a showing, I was greeted by the homeowner as I went to the door. They wanted to explain that they had just cooked “blood sausage” and that the home might have an odor. Really?! It's been several years and I STILL remember that smell!

What about air fresheners? You have to be very careful about the plug-ins, candles, or sprays. Masking a problem only makes it worse.  Personally, I like many of the plug-in smells, but many folks absolutely do not like them. Remember that smell is one of the most powerful memory triggers--you need potential buyers to have good memories of the showing!

Some good smells that usually cannot go wrong: 

  • Fresh baked bread like pumpkin or another sweet bread
  • Fresh baked cookies--especially if leave a few out with a “please take one” note attached! 
  • Cinnamon sticks in the kitchen. You can also run a lemon through the garbage disposal. Most folks do like citrus and it can smell very good and clean. 
  • And of course the very best idea: clean, clean and then clean again!