Great smells = Quicker Sales

Have you ever walked into a house and were immediately turned off by the smell of pets or last night's dinner?

Immediately your focus shifts.  Instead of noticing the great layout of the home or the beautiful staging, your thoughts turned to how uninviting the smell is and what has caused it.  The bad smell of a listed home has turned away more than one buyer.

When you are selling your house, smell should be at the top of your list.  Ask a friend or neighbor to come in and give you their honest opinion.  Ask them, "What does it smell like?"  And then look for ways to remedy it, if necessary.

Number two, take your garbage out daily.  More often if you are cooking fish, meat or have young children with diapers.  In fact, don't even put those in your inside garbage cans while selling your home.  Take them immediately outside. 

Number three, do your teenager's laundry daily. And yours. Nothing is more of a turn off than stinky socks or used towels.  It is also a good idea to always have  your laundry and laundry baskets put away.  The less of your own living the potential buyer sees, the better.  And, the less they smell even more so.

Number four, if you have pets, eliminate or clean anything that may be odor causing.  A pet's bed for instance, may create an unpleasant smell.  Bird or hamster cages should be removed for showings. Ferrets are disasterous to getting your home sold fast.  Their smell is so strong and repulsive. In all honesty, if you have one, you need to find it a new home while selling yours.  Kitty litter boxes should never be left in a home during a showing. More importantly, clean them thoroughly daily.  You may not be offended by pets and their odors, but most potential buyers are.

Number five, using a Glade Plug-In for the main areas of your home, bedrooms and bathrooms.  Apple-cinnamon or vanilla are universal favorites.  Avoid anything fruity or beachy.

Number six, if you can help it, don't cook anything before you have a showing.  There is one exception -  cooking something sweet, warm and delicious.  An all time favorite is the classic chocolate chip cookie.   The aroma of warm vanilla and chocolate wafting through your home is an automatic seller turn on.  These smells are symbolic of home, comfort and love.   A great strategy is to mix up a batch of dough and bake 6-8 cookies an hour before the showing, to create the aroma of a warm, inviting home.  Leave the freshly baked cookies on a colorful plate for the buyers to enjoy during their visit. Then, freeze the remaining dough, formed into small round balls.   You now have dough ready for the next time you have a showing.  Making your home smell "just like home" will help your potential buyers envision themselves living in your home "sweet"home.  

To make things easier, we are sharing a deliciously addicting, tried and true recipe.  It's as good to eat as it smells!  Happy baking and happy selling!