When you’re selling your home, you need to make it as appealing as possible to buyers. So, when it comes to preparing for showings, that means not just cleaning up what they see — but also what they don’t see: smells, scents, odors, etc.
From a staging perspective, that can be challenging. You may be so used to a particular smell — exotic cooking, for example — that you’re no longer aware of the aroma. On the other hand, a buyer viewing your home may find it overwhelming.
That’s why it’s a good idea to make your home as “odor neutral” as possible. That includes removing what you might think of as pleasant smells, such as fabric fresheners and burning incense sticks. While you may like those scents, some buyers may not. Why take a chance?
So, prior to a viewing, eliminate as many sources of odors as possible. Make sure garbage bins are empty. Clean sinks. Ideally, arrange for the dog or cat to be somewhere else, such as a pet daycare.
Weather permitting, open the windows and air out your home two hours before a buyer arrives. That will literally give your home a breath of fresh air.
