Overlooking Odors

Yes, every home has a smell, and if you’re living there, you’ve probably gone nose-blind to it, but buyers will absolutely notice. Smells trigger powerful emotions and memories, making scent a huge factor in how buyers perceive your home. You might not detect last night’s garlic, pet odors, or candle scents, but buyers will, and these can trigger negative reactions. Think about walking into a childhood friend’s house—you remember that distinctive smell. Buyers experience the same thing with your home, and if it includes pets, smoke, dampness, or strong cooking odors, it can be a deal-killer. Open windows before every showing (even just 15-20 minutes), professionally clean carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture if pets live in the house, use exhaust fans when cooking and avoid heavy food odors before showings, skip heavy artificial air fresheners that can backfire and seem like you’re hiding something, and consider using HEPA air purifiers if the house tends to be stuffy. Fresh air sells while lingering odors don’t. The goal is creating a space that smells fresh, clean, and neutral so buyers can focus on falling in love with your home, not being distracted by unwelcome scents that remind them it’s someone else’s space.