Why scent matters when trying to sell your home
When a potential buyer views your home, they will be soaking in every aspect: the space, the décor, how the property works, but what about how it smells? Our sense of smell is powerful; it can evoke emotions, and is the sense most closely linked to memory. It can also provoke an immediate response. When a perfumer is developing a fragrance, they seek to convey a wealth of feelings through their distinctive mix of aromas, yet what one person may love, another may loath. No matter how beautifully presented your property is, how perfect it matches their dreams, if there is a particular scent that lingers, you can guarantee that this is what they will remember when viewing your home. This is why scent matters when trying to sell your home.
Winter doesn’t help
With the cold winds blowing and freezing temperatures, we are less likely to have windows open. The echoes of ‘shut that door’ will be singing through households as energy bills are always at the forefront of our minds. Keeping our homes warm around this time of year does mean we often sacrifice ventilating them; therefore, scents that can often be dispelled by an open window may take hold. With this in mind, it is essential that you are extremely conscious about aromas in your property, especially when you know viewings are about to take place.
Some of the most common smells are:
Cooking
The smell of fresh bread, a delicious dish cooking in the oven, that cheeky takeaway on the weekend – food and aromas are magical and intoxicating. Yet, once the last pot has been washed and your taste buds rejoicing, what can be left is a particular scent in the air. You may not notice it at first, but if you have left food out overnight, you will know that your kitchen the next day may not thrill you as it did the night before. Of course, you need to cook good and nutritious meals whilst your home is on the market, but just be conscious of what you cook the night before a viewing in case it has a strong odour that refuses to leave.
Our beloved pets
Oh, how our pets have gotten us through the pandemic, with many more people owning a pet today than a couple of years ago. We visit more homes today where there’s a furry companion than not. We think everyone will agree that our furbabies do come with their own unique, and sometimes potent, little aromas all of their own, but because we live with then constantly we often can start to not notice any scents lingering as we may once have done. Potential buyers will be entering your home with devilish noses and will always notice smells that you don’t. To minimise the impact pets can have on our homes you can remove those major odour producing items, such as their beds, toys and litter trays, for viewings, and it is always worth giving carpets, sofas and soft furnishings a deep clean with a deodorising product.
Artificial scents
Who doesn’t love a scented candle or a plug-in, or you may prefer incense burning through your home, yet those can often not be subtle and can give off strong aromas that can be a complete turn- off to buyers. Many people can be very sensitive to strong smells and they may even struggle to view your home if they feel the smell of these artificial scents is overpowering. Try, where possible, to use more natural aromas, for example fresh flowers provide a beautiful scent and will also add some colour and warmth to a room.
Trust your senses
Many of us are spending longer hours in our homes as we work from home, as well as continuing with our daily family lives. Therefore, our ability to instantly notice an aroma can often be diminished, which is why it is always best to assess your scent ability with a fresh nose. Take a walk, and after enjoying the fresh air come into your home and take a deep breath; you will then be surprised at what you discover.
Everyone’s home has its own aromas, and this has absolutely nothing to do with cleanliness. Whether it is bleach, incense, pets or last night’s meal, strong aromas will naturally have a ‘marmite’ reaction from potential buyers. In our own surroundings we tend to go nose-blind, which is why it is always a great idea to get someone else’s opinion.
Truth is essential
Do you have a friend or neighbour who will be truthful, even if you really don’t want to hear it? This is the friend or family member you need right now, they, we know, will be sensitive to the scents that they find in your home, but it also means you have time to do something about it.
Remembering what matters
Even in this busy sellers’ market, buyers will discard a property for many reasons and battle for those that meet their needs. If you consider all the senses: especially how it looks, sounds, feels and smells, when preparing your home for sale you will, no doubt, have buyers queuing to make an offer.
For more advice on how to maximise the sale of your property, then contact our team.
