If you are Living In Your Home While It Is On The Market, the goal is to make your home as easy to show, with the best first impression. Meaning, you want to showcase your home, not highlight your stuff. You want buyers to be able to imagine their lives in the home without distractions. One of those distractions I believe could be the scent. According to an article written by Christopher Bergland entitled“How Does Scent Drive Human Behavior?” Scents that evoke positive memories motivate decision making. Smells have the power to drive your behavior on an instinctive and subconscious level. When provided the same scent, let’s say incense, not everyone may have a positive experience with that particular smell. Which is why if you choose to use a scent in your home, you really have to think about which one to use.

During property tour, some REALTORS® and my broker from my brokerage visitedmy new listing in Bullard, Texas. Everyone commented about how wonderful the home smelled. The agents asked me to ask my seller what their secret was, and it was simply to warm vanilla extract in the oven for a little bit; that was it! Such a small act made such a powerful result. To me, the scent was comforting and subtle. However, not everyone likes the scent of vanilla. According to an article that Kelly Lynch wrote, she discusses 11 Smells That Your Either Love or Hate. However, So, should you use a scent?

In my opinion, I believe the home needs to be clean and free of strong odors. Some strong odors that I struggle with are the following:

• Smoke
• Pet odors
• Garbage that has not been taken out
• Heavy potpourri
• Heavy artificial cleaner

So, if your home does have a strong odor, what should you do?

First, I recommend evaluating your home’s cleanliness. Sometimes, people who live in a home that has strong odors, they are often used to the scent, and therefore are immune to the scent. You can ask a friend or family member, or I’d be happy to tell you if there is an odor.

Next, determine the cause. Is it the old furniture that Fido the dog jumps on? An office chair that a family member smoked in? If you can remove the furniture, curtains, or rug that is holding the scent in, then I recommend doing so.

If you have evaluated your home’s cleanliness and removed the items that you believe cause the odor, and the undesirable scent lingers, then I would deep clean. You personally may not have the tools or equipment to remove the scent. In this case, hire a professional. Cleaning out your air ducts also make help the scent issue.

So, can scents affect the sale of your home? Potentially. Depends on the price range, location, and time of year. I think that if there is a strong off-putting odor in a home, and there is a competing home in the same price range, buyers may choose that home that smells better. But again, everyone has their own nose, and their nose knows what smells good or bad.

I just recommend having a clean and camera-ready home. Joanna Gaines has somehelpful tips on scents she uses in her home. I look forward to being apart of your real estate journey. If you ever have any questions, I would be happy to help or guide you to the expert.

Kelly Raulston

“Reliable and Ready” REALTOR® since 2016. I was born in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, but was raised in Texas since 1997. When I found out we were moving to Plano, Texas, I remember looking forward to riding a horse to school and a brand-new pair of cowboy boots! Growing up in Plano prepared me to be competitive, quick, and to have a strong work ethic. I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Axe’em Jacks! That is where my love for East Texas began. The nature, warm smiles, football games, and community values can't be beat! I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I was a middle school math teacher in Tyler, Texas. I met my husband, Travis, in Sunday school, and we have been married since September 2016. I love being a REALTOR® in East Texas! Relationships are genuine, the area is beautiful, and the market is rockin’! I am an involved REALTOR® to better the community. Some of the organizations I am involved with are: The Professional Development Committee, Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee, and Tyler Educational Networking Group. Some awards I have won were “The Hustle Award” in 2016, and “Rookie of the Year” in 2017. When I am not working with my clients, I like to spend quality time with my friends and family doing the following: running, target practice, read and participate in book club, and playing with my dachshund Greta.