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February
24
24
5 Tips for Improving Your Home's Smell Before Showings
It's no secret that selling your home quickly requires a bit of effort.
Our REALTORS® know from experience that tiny details can often make a world of difference with Richmond homes for sale. While everyone knows that curb appeal and cleanliness are important, the way a home smells can also make or break a deal. Luckily, it's easy to make your house smell amazing before your showings. Start with these five tips.
- Remove Bad Odors
First and foremost, you'll want to hunt down anything in the home that's causing bad odors and neutralize them. This may require steam cleaning carpets and upholstery, packing away old shoes, bathing the dog, and removing pet beds and litter boxes from the main living area. You'll also want to wash bedding frequently, keep up with dirty laundry, wash dishes immediately, clean out your fridge every week, and take the trash out daily. Baking powder and vinegar are both excellent for neutralizing odors in the home, and it's important not to underestimate the power of opening windows to let in some fresh air.
- Skip the Air Fresheners
Once your home is clean and fresh smelling, you may be tempted to add some air fresheners to the mix. This is almost always a bad idea! Most commercial air fresheners create a heavy, "fake" smell that will turn off many home buyers. Instead of relying on chemicals, try natural options.
- Use Your Stove or Oven
There's a reason why agents recommend baking fresh cookies right before a showing. Not only is it a nice touch, but the smell it creates will make your home feel cozy and welcoming. When potential buyers enter the home, they'll be able to picture themselves and their family spending time gathered together in the kitchen. If baking cookies isn't your thing, try making a simmer pot instead. This is as easy as boiling a pot of water and adding cinnamon and cloves for a warm, "homey" feel or citrus peels for a fresh, clean scent.
- Add Plants
Not only do plants help to clean the air, but certain ones can also give your home a natural, light scent that's almost everyone finds appealing. Some of your best options include roses, lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus. If you decide to add some plants, make sure they look healthy and well-groomed, or else they could end up detracting from the overall look and feel of your home.
- Diffuse Essential Oils
Essential oils are another way to create a light, pleasant scent throughout your home. Try adding a few drops to your simmer pot or using a diffuser. Just be sure to choose your scents carefully. Avoid strong scents like patchouli or sandalwood and instead opt for scents like lavender, rose, bergamot, or grapefruit. You'll want to turn on your diffuser a few hours before the showing for maximum effect. You can also dilute essential oils in a spray bottle and lightly spritz bedding right before your potential buyers arrive.
Whether you're thinking about buying or selling a home, we're here to help. Contact us today.