Never underestimate the power of smell when selling your home! You may not realize it, but your NET PROFIT from the sale of your home will be directly impacted by the scents and smells found in your home!!
If your home smells of cigarette smoke, your profit on the sell of your home is literally going up in smoke! As a realtor who works with a large number of buyers, I can tell you first hand that the majority of home buyers will not consider buying a home that smells of cigarette smoke. Or, if they do considering writing an offer, it will be at a significantly reduced price in order to compensate for removing the odor from the home. I have had many, many buyers simply turn and walk out of a home because it smelled of smoke as soon as we entered the front door. If you can't get buyers to walk into your home - you certainly won't be able to sell your home!
Aromas and smells have a huge impact on a home buyer's emotions. Think about the multibillion dollar fragrance industry! Smells can sell and smells can kill sells! Which category does your home fall in?
When a buyer walks into a home that "smells" welcoming, they will immediately begin the crucial emotional connection that they need to make with your home. Your home should smell fresh and clean, but not excessively heavy with fragrances either!
Start by cleaning your home from top to bottom. Then clean, clean, and clean again! A clean home will smell fresh and draw buyers in. If cleaning isn't your forte, then you should consider hiring a cleaning service to help you get this task accomplished. You will more than recoup the cost of a professional cleaning service in the final sales price of your home!
Don't smoke in your home, in the garage, or on a closed in patio or porch! Cigarette smoke will kill the sell of your. Trust me on this one, simply spraying air freshener, lighting candles, or running an air purifier will NOT cover up the smell of cigarette smoke. Rarely does a smoker actually smell the scent of cigarettes - but a potential buyer will. A home that smells of smoke and heavy air fresheners is actually worse than just a smokey smell alone!
Inside pets can also be a problem. Make sure that your pets are clean and their area is clean. You may even need to consider finding a place for them to stay while your home is on the market. Litter boxes can leave a horrible odor that can send home buyers running for the door instead of lingering at the showing! I've even shown homes with small dogs inside that were not fully house broken...you get the picture. Not a very appealing scent for potential buyers!
If you are a baker then by all means...BAKE! Nothing is more inviting than a clean home that has the fresh aroma of an apple pie or warm cookies fresh from the oven. Not a cook? Invest in some inexpensive mulling spices and simply boil these on the stove for a few minutes prior to your showing. Another secret I use is to "bake" a pan of water, vanilla extract, and a little brown sugar in the oven on 150 for a few minutes prior to showing. Turn the oven off and leave the baked water in the oven to permeate the room. Voila! Instant apple pie and spice scent for your buyers!
Some other great inventions are the plug-in air fresheners and the reed diffusers. I never recommend leaving burning candles unattended due to fire hazards. The new reed diffusers leave a wonderful fresh scent without any danger. Go for fresh scents and not heavy floral aromas. Vanilla, cucumbers, and basil are wonderful fresh clean scents to consider using.
Just remember, that buyers make purchase decisions based on emotions. Having a home that smells welcoming is just one more way to make them fall in love with your home. Home buyers that love a home will want to BUY that home! If you are trying to selling real estate in Murfreesboro, or anywhere else in Middle TN, make sure it smells welcoming!
After all, who loves a smelly house?!
If you have questions on staging your home for sale in Murfreesboro, Brentwood, Smyrna, LaVergne or the entire Nashville TN area, please let me know! I would love to speak with you and help you maximize your sales price while limiting the number of days your home is on the market! Please call me at 615-566-3789 or email me at info@soldontn.com.
Regards,
Sherri Wellborn, Keller Williams Realty
YOUR Murfreesboro Real Estate Expert |