5 Fall Scents That Will Help You Sell Your Home
With fall in full swing, introducing cozy, seasonal scents can make your home feel especially welcoming to buyers.
The key is knowing how to use fragrance naturally, and when too much can backfire.
Because experts agree that odors can cause a strong reaction, especially when it comes to buying a home. But the days of throwing in a stack of chocolate chip cookies are over – or at least they’ve evolved!
Why scent is important when selling your home in the fall
When it comes to selling a home, most people focus on what buyers see, but what they smell can be just as important.
“That first smell as soon as you walk in is crucial in creating the buyer’s first impression of a warm, inviting and clean home,” explains real estate agent. Stacy Molenaarby Re/Max fine properties in Arizona.
Because scent influences buyer psychology, seasonal scents can enhance showings and open houses.
“A scent can trigger an emotional response more quickly than images or words,” says Laura Willisa real estate agent Top Sotheby’s International Realty in Park City, UT. “Autumn scents create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.”
Since fall is the final push before winter slows sales, atmosphere is now more important than ever.
The best fall scents to help sell homes
Aromatherapy expert Savannah Brittfounder of The scent affairsuggests these fall-inspired scents to make your home seem more inviting to buyers:
Apple cinnamon
“This classic combination evokes warmth, family gatherings and nostalgic comfort,” says Britt. “It’s a homecoming scent that is immediately familiar and inviting.”
A stovetop pot is a great way to achieve this scent naturally. Avoid using too much cinnamon as it can be overpowering and even cause nausea.
Vanilla or pastry
According to Britt, vanilla scents and the smell of freshly baked treats evoke powerful associations with hospitality, care and comfort.
One homeowner even said her house sold shortly after she baked a plum pie.
A batch of cookies in the oven before an open house can fill your home with that same comforting, welcoming aroma, as long as they don’t burn.
Pumpkin spice
“Pumpkin spice is closely linked to seasonal coziness and tradition and taps into feelings of security, connection and festive joy,” explains Britt. “This scent, when used subtly, can subconsciously make a house feel like a home.”
Use a pumpkin spice diffuser, but avoid using it constantly to avoid possible side effects such as headaches.
Fresh linen or autumn rain
These fresh, airy notes communicate cleanliness, calmness and new beginnings.
“They are especially effective in open houses because they create a blank environment for buyers to project their own story onto,” says Britt.
A lightly scented candle in one of these neutral scents can enhance the warmth of the home without overwhelming anyone’s senses.
Cedarwood or sandalwood
“These grounding, woody scents convey stability, sophistication and timelessness,” explains Britt. “They add depth and a sense of permanence, which is ideal for creating a homely atmosphere.”
Using essential oils is the best way to obtain these earthy scents naturally. But less is more, because they are powerful and highly concentrated.
When odor can thwart a sale
When introducing scents into your home, you should proceed with caution and avoid common mistakes.
“An overpowering odor is often worse than no odor at all,” Willis warns. “It indicates that the seller is trying too hard or, worse, is masking an underlying odor, which immediately arouses the buyer’s suspicions.”
Real estate agent Denise Suppleco-founder of SparkRental in Doylestown, PAsays one of her clients once walked into a house, took a whiff and asked, “What are they covering up?”
“Then he literally started looking around the house looking for whatever it was,” she recalls.
Mixing scents is also a no-no.
“Having competing scents between rooms, such as lavender in the bathroom and pine in the living room, creates sensory confusion,” says Willis.
And nothing destroys a first impression faster than bad odors, so neutralize those odors before adding anything pleasant.
“Clean the house thoroughly and have carpets, furniture upholstery, curtains and all soft surfaces professionally cleaned,” advises Willis. “Thoroughly clean drains, garbage disposals and appliances, then thoroughly clean all pet areas. Open all windows and doors for an extended period of time to allow fresh air to circulate.”
After cleaning and airing the room, you can enhance the freshness with a hint of fragrance from a cooking pot or softly scented plug-in.
“When a buyer crosses the threshold, he’s looking for a feeling,” Willis says. “A carefully chosen, subtle scent is the fastest way to convey that emotion they are looking for.”
