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What's that Smell??

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Four Corners 0541318

Isn't it weird how smells can take you back to a different time and place?  Have you ever walked into a building and the smell reminds you of your elementary school from years past?  Have you taken a whiff from the crayon box while coloring with a child and remembered the smell of new school supplies on the first day of school.  Does a special cologne or perfume take you back.to remember your mom or  your first love?  Smell is one of the senses that can ignite our memories and our emotions.

"A recent study in Germany has shown that smell can influence the quality and emotional tone of dreams. Researchers wafted the smell of roses under the noses of sleeping volunteers in the REM phase of their sleep (dreaming phase). They then woke them up and asked them to report on the content and quality of their dreams. While the subjects did not report actually smelling anything during their dreams, the emotional tone of their dream did change depending upon the stimulation. The smell of roses evoked pleasant emotions and the smell of rotting eggs had the opposite effect. "
BBC News online Sept 2008

Potential buyers like to walk into a home that smells good.  Fresh baked cookies, vanilla candles or light air fragrance can make a big difference on how long they want to linger in the home.  The longer the buyer stays the more they may begin to like the home.  On the other hand, if a home has a fowl smell such as a dirty cat box, mold smell, or dirty laundry they will leave quickly.  This one area could reduce your chances of selling your home and possibly tip off buyers of potential issues with the home.

Take smell into consideration when you put your home on the market.  Leave your home for a day or two and then walk in.  What is the first thing that comes to mind?  If it weren't your home, would you want to linger and look or run the other way?

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Comments(3)

Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Smart post and great advice!  I avoid cooking pungent foods in the kitchen like curried shrimp while my home is on the market.

Apr 28, 2009 04:23 PM
Peggy Christopher
Four Seasons Realty Inc. - Osage Beach, MO

Wayne, I always try to light candles at my opens...and yes, the cookies, pumpkin pie, or cinnamon really freshen with up the house and make it smell like home.  My sister once put a pie in the oven and offered it to the guests!  That's a great idea too.  Peggy

Apr 29, 2009 03:03 AM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

I commented to this post on energized seller - I like it!

May 01, 2009 10:48 AM