The history of Aromatherapy dates back at least to 4000 BC, although the term "aromatherapy" was first used in the 1920s by the French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé who accidentally discovered that lavender oil relieves pain and assists in the healing of burns.
Today, Aromatherapy is used in almost every bath and beauty product on the shelf. It is also used by some for healing. As a Realtor® and Accredited Home Staging Specialist, one of my favorite uses is to "Set the Mood" for a sale in Real Estate. Aromatherapy is especially useful for Open Houses or to assist sellers with pet or cooking odors.
Studies have shown that the first thing people notice when they walk into a home is the smell. A strong or unpleasant smell can turn off a buyer immediately. We recently had a very nice home listed in a nice neighborhood and at a good price. The owners however had two large dogs, and even though the home was kept very clean, the pet odor was mentioned by almost every prospective buyer who looked at the home.
Studies have also shown that a buyer's impression of a home is made in the first 30 seconds upon entering and a buy/no buy decision is not far after. Needless to say, this first impression is critical in the sale of a home, and smell is an important part of the experience.
So why not use the buyer's senses to your advantage? It is possible to not only stage a home to be visually appealing and uncluttered but to also stimulate the buyer's other senses - especially their sense of smell.
Set the mood for your home by the use of Essential Oils or candles that include essential oils. If the home is small, you may want to limit the scents to one or possibly two. If the home is larger however, you can set the mood for each of the major areas of the home. Some examples include:
• Lavender Oil - Has a calming effect and would be ideal to set the mood for a master bathroom or bedroom.
• Bergamot - Has a fresh, sweet, citrus scent that is familiar to many as the flavoring in Earl Gray, would help create the ideal mood for a master bedroom or bathroom.
• Lemon or Citrus - Has a clean, refreshing scent and would be great for a kitchen, bathroom, or dining area.
• Peppermint - Has a clean, cooling scent and would be great on a hot summer day in the kitchen or main areas of the home.
• Balsam Fir - Has a soothing effect and would be great around the holidays in the main areas of the home.
• Jasmine - Has a warm, exotic floral fragrance that creates a feeling of "romance", ideal for the master bath or bedroom.
My favorite way of bringing aromatherapy into the home is through the use of Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils and a cold diffuser. Many oils that you purchase on the shelf are a "perfume" quality and may not have the same desired effects. My favorite essential Oils are from Young Living.
The Diffuser is an effective way to create a subtle "ambiance" in the home without overwhelming the senses. It is important that if you use a diffuser that you choose a "cold" diffuser as some oils actually become toxic when heated. My favorite diffuser is also from Young Living.
Candles with essential oil can also be used for aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is an effective and low-cost way to create a positive and memorable experience for your potential buyers.
For more information on using aromatherapy to help set the "sales mood" in your home, contact Monica Bourgeau at 503-893-9108.
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