To make a house smell good before showings, focus on removing any bad smells, then use light scents if necessary to make the home smell fresh and neutral. The goal is to make the home smell clean, not scented. 

Below, we’ll look at why smell matters, how to freshen the home, and which smells to avoid.

Why Smell Matters When Selling a House

Smell matters when selling a house because buyers often use it to judge how clean the home is and how much work it may need. If the home has a bad odor, buyers may assume they’ll need to immediately deal with issues such as cleaning the carpets, repainting the walls, removing pet odors, or addressing any moisture issues after moving in.

In other words, bad smells basically add a problem to their list before they’ve even finished walking through the house. Instead of focusing on the home’s layout or yard, they’re thinking about the smell and what it might cost to fix.

So, before a showing, the goal is to remove that concern.

How to Make Your House Smell Good Before Showings

The first and most important step is finding the source of any bad odors. Even the best candles, sprays, and air fresheners won’t fix the problem if the odor is coming from the trash, carpets, sink drain, fridge, or pet areas. They often just mix with the smell, making it even more noticeable.

Here are some of the basics to help make your house smell good before showings:

1. Take out the garbage. Check the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, garage, and anywhere else small trash cans may be hiding.
2. Clean the kitchen. Wipe down counters, clean the sink, check the fridge, and run the garbage disposal if you have one.
3. Freshen the bathrooms. Give the toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, and floors a good cleaning. Also, make sure towels are clean and dry.
4. Deal with pet areas. Empty litter boxes, pick up pet waste outside, wash pet bedding, and put away food bowls before buyers arrive.
5. Clean soft surfaces. Vacuum carpets, rugs, curtains, and upholstered furniture since fabric can hold onto odors.
6. Bring in fresh air. Open the windows for a short time before the showing if the weather allows, especially in rooms that smell stale.
7. Add a light scent if needed. Once the home already smells clean, use something subtle like fresh linens, a mild citrus scent, or a lightly scented cleaner. The scent should stay in the background, not take over the room.

Once you’ve handled the source of any odors, avoid doing too much. The house doesn’t need to smell like a candle store to make a good impression.

What Smells Should You Avoid Before a Showing?

Before a showing, a good rule of thumb is to avoid any smell that’s strong, artificial, or even just hard to ignore. Not everyone likes the same scents, and the wrong one can make the home less appealing.

Here are a few smells to avoid before buyers arrive:

• Strong candles or plug-ins. These can quickly become overpowering, especially in smaller rooms. They can also make buyers wonder if you’re trying to cover up another smell.
• Heavy room sprays or essential oils. A little scent is fine, but too much can make the home smell artificial instead of clean.
• Strong cooking smells. Fried food, fish, garlic, onions, and heavy spices can linger in the kitchen and nearby rooms long after you’re done cooking.
• Pet odors. Yes, even buyers who like animals may not want to smell pets during a showing. Litter boxes, pet beds, food bowls, and accidents should all be handled before buyers arrive.
• Smoke or musty odors. Smoky, mildew, and damp smells can raise concerns about cleaning, repairs, or moisture issues.

It can help to walk through the home before the showing and ask yourself whether any odors stand out. If one or more do, do what you can to remove or neutralize them.

Need Help Getting Your Home Ready to Sell?

A fresh-smelling home can help buyers focus on the space rather than getting distracted by odors. But scent is only one part of getting a home ready for the market. It’s also important to clean the home, make smart prep decisions, price it correctly, take strong photos, and market it well.

If you’re getting ready to sell, Hawkins Real Estate Group can help you look at the home the way buyers will. From preparation and pricing to marketing and showings, our team can help you make a stronger impression from the first walkthrough. 

Contact us to speak with one of our real estate agents today.