To smell or not to smell – what an interesting topic! This has been a point of contention for showings, well, since the beginning of time. Ok, at least since when folks had the inkling to sell a property. As I have stated before, the last thing you want is for a potential buyer to focus on something that really has nothing to pertain to the transaction. An errant smell can certainly take someone off track!
The Nose Knows
I have received lots of feedback over the years – some good, some not so much. I had one client who did a wonderful job of removing pets from the property and eradicating any smells. Even at that, we received showing feedback that the yard “smelled of dog waste”. Now, I don’t think this was the case, but then again, we also have dogs and may be immune to the smell. Either way, we did not receive an offer from that buyer.
I had another client who overcompensated for the smell in her home – we had several folks say it was too intense and they walked out of the showing. We were able to correct and get everything neutralized – staying in the middle appears to be the best approach. I have also had clients who enjoyed a diet that brought out strong aromas in their cooking. Some folks are ok with this, others are not. For this specific client we actually had to paint most of the house to remove the scent. It was a wise decision as they received a full ask offer in less than 2 weeks.
Shrink the Stink
Keeping the scent of the home to be pleasant but not too intense will help with the selling process. Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind:
Festive scents can inspire fond memories for some, but for others, the smell of pine and cinnamon sticks may inspire an asthma attack. The last thing you want to do is send your would-be buyers gasping to the hospital. Avoid lighting candles and spraying scents when you’re expecting a showing.
Removing pets from the home can reap huge benefits. This is a tough call as our pets are an extension of our families. But, pooches can hinder the process and are best kept off the premises
Paint can help remove any strong odor. Whether it be from cooking, smoking, or a number of other items – paint and primer can work wonders!
A gentle smell from a candle or room odorizer can help to freshen a place up. Don’t go too extreme – you just want to create a neutral environment.
Have your home professionally cleaned prior to listing. The first weekend a home is listed is typically going to bring the most amount of traffic and hopefully multiple buyers. This is a great time and space to invest in to make sure your home looks and smells great.
Happy smells to you!
Kommentare