How Important Is Scent When Selling Your House?

When you are attempting to sell your house, there are many factors that play a role in whether you home will sell and how quickly. You may end up overlooking some of these factors, especially the psychological ones, such as scent. If your home smells bad, it will be difficult to sell it. There are both short- and long-term scents that can play a role. Keep reading to learn more about scent and the role it plays in selling your house.

Why Scent Is So Important

There are a number of reasons why scent is important. Most people don't realize that scent has an influence on their daily lives. A slight bad smell can cause potential homebuyers to associate your house with being dirty and old. Scent is incredibly powerful and can evoke emotions—good and bad.

So, How Do You Know Whether Your Home Smells Bad?

One thing to realize is that you may not know that your home doesn't smell the greatest. You are likely used to the smell in your home, which is why you do not notice it. It may be an underlying smell or a transient smell. Whatever the case may be, you should have someone come in and perform a smell test. If you do not have someone to help you, leave the home for a bit and then head back in to see if you notice a foul smell.

Locate the Source

If possible, locate the source of what is causing the home to smell foul. For instance, it may be moisture or mold in the basement or walls. If this is the case, you will need to repair the problem instead of covering it up. An expert may be needed, although it could be a quick fix, such as unclogging a clogged drain.

Eliminating General Odors and Leaving a Lasting Impression

If there are not huge odor problems and you want to ensure the home smells good for prospective homebuyers, you can do a few different things. You can use vinegar as a primary cleaning product, as it will help to neutralize odors in the home. If you have pets in the home, make sure to perform a deep clean throughout the home where they spend a large portion of their time. While your home is for sale, vacuum pet hair on a daily basis.

You should also consider making your home smell good, as this can make a good impression and a lasting one. You can bake some cookies, or have lots of citrus throughout the home. Try to avoid candles, essential oils, and the like, as some individuals are sensitive to these things. Ideally, you just want to ensure your home is clean and fresh.

For more information, contact a residential realtor, such as Johon Tar Realtor.