Some of the most beautiful homes can sit on the market for extended periods of time. It’s not because they aren’t priced well, or other factors you might suspect. It’s simply because buyers are turned off by details that are often overlooked. The first thing buyers notice when stepping into a home is the smell.
Yes, one of those details that carry a lot of weight is the way a home smells. Professional home stagers go to great lengths to turn ordinary homes into designer showcases. Their goal is to make a home appeal to all five senses, and when it comes to smells, they recommend attacking the problem at the source.
I thought I’d share some of their best tips with you and hope you’ll find it as helpful as I do.
Nothing smells better than clean!
The source of the most common problem odors: pets, smoking, cooking, and mold or mildew.
1. A zippered pillowcase filled with cedar chips, placed under a pet’s pillow bed, will absorb most of the unpleasant odors.
2. Boiling an apple, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and a few drops of vanilla on the stove will remove burnt smells in the kitchen. Add orange peels to make a simmering potpourri.
3. Sprinkle baking soda directly onto carpets, rugs, and sofas to eliminate odors—then let it sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming.
4. A bowl of vinegar placed in a room for a day or two will help neutralize smoke odors.
5. Small cotton balls with a few drops of your favorite perfume or cologne, tucked discreetly around the home, can freshen a room.
6. Candles, plug-ins, and home fragrance sprays can work wonders when the scent is well chosen, and not overdone.
7. If there has been smoking in the home, consider hiring a company that uses an ozone generator to get rid of the smell.
For more help getting you home ready for sale,
contact your Walnut Grove Realtor®, Kelly Blouin.
