How to Keep Funky Odors From Scaring Off Buyers

This past week, I held a candle-sniffing contest with some unsuspecting coworkers and office staff here at the C21 in Peterborough. It was a great way to wind up everyone before the long weekend, but it also got me thinking about the importance of smells in a home. Sellers, your house may look great, but let's talk about how it smells.

Scents are a powerful trigger that can significantly impact first impressions. And in real estate, as we all know, first impressions matter. Imagine yourself as a buyer walking into a home with a strong scent. Is that last night's dinner, or maybe some pet odor from your cat or dog? These smells can make a big impact on potential buyers, causing them to wonder, "Can we get this smell out of the house?" or "Is this smell related to a bigger problem?" Or, it could simply leave them with a bad opinion of the showing altogether. 

Febreze said it best—we can go nose blind. Sometimes, you might not even notice the smell in your own house, it makes enough sense. But let's go over some ways to freshen up your space and make those first impressions count.

Your Carpets

Ever watched something fall into your carpet and thought, "Well, that's gone forever”? Maybe you've stared at your carpet a little too long and realized how much your spouse sheds or how much pet dander is trapped within. As much as we may love our carpets, so do stinky smells. Give these areas some thorough love. Rent a carpet cleaner, hire a professional, or depending on the carpet's condition, it might be best to replace it altogether.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is another space that naturally generates smells—food waste, cooking, and dishwashing all contribute. Check for grease and grime buildup in those unassuming areas, behind the stove, under the fridge, and around your garbage bin. Wipe down all your surfaces, including the sink. Just because you clean dishes there doesn't mean the sink itself is clean; it needs a good scrubbing too.

Before a showing, be sure to take out any garbage or compost, and try to avoid cooking any strong-smelling foods the night before.

Open Those Windows

Now that we've tackled our two main problem areas, let's freshen up the whole house. This little trick requires minimal effort but has a significant impact, simply open up your windows and doors to let fresh air in and the old stuff out. 

Revisiting The Candle Story

Remember that candle story I mentioned earlier? I brought this candle around the office, and the overwhelming consensus was that it smelled like a guy's cologne—reminiscent of every candle from the '90s or walking through an Abercrombie & Fitch store back in the day. Some people liked the smell, while others asked me to throw it away. Moral of the story? Smell is subjective.

So, when you're freshening up your home after all your hard work cleaning, let's lean towards something lighter and more universal. Tuck the cologne-scented candle in the closet… just for now. Consider using non-allergenic essential oils and diffusers sparingly — just enough to refresh the space without overpowering it.

If you're feeling unsure about listing your home, don't sweat it. Give me a ring, and I'll gladly give you some pointers. If you want to meet our Peterborough team and smell the infamous candle… we can do that too.

Wanting to see this candle video for yourself? Check out it out here.