March 7, 2019 - Noel Jones

When selling or leasing out your home, any competitive edge, no matter how big or small, can be advantageous.

Something that is often overlooked by vendors and landlords is the fragrance of the home. A pleasing smell can psychologically engage a potential buyer or renter without them even realising it, extending the time they are willing to spend in a home during the inspection period, and encouraging them to return.

Ensure the home is clean to start with. Make sure wet areas have all been scrubbed to remove any signs of soap scum or mould. Kitchens should have clutter-free benchtops and all appliances should be attended to. Bedrooms should have freshly washed linen and soft furnishings in living areas such as cushions and rugs should be clean; any open fireplaces should also be clear of ash.

Where possible, air your property before an inspection to increase freshness and remove stale air; then, it’s time to add fragrance. There are a number of ways that you can do this. Recent studies revealed the scents that have the most positive effects on buyers to be citrus including lemon and orange, herbs including basil, vanilla, green tea, pine and cedar. Single scents are favoured over mixed scents as they are more recognisable, allowing buyers to focus on the home, rather than trying to work out what they can smell.

Room sprays: There are a variety of these on the market but not all are created equal. Look for sprays that use quality essential oils as a base, and those that will last for at least 30 minutes, ensuring that they see you through your inspection period. Spray them throughout the home so that the fragrance is consistent.

Scented candles: Buy quality candles and ensure that you light them at least an hour before your inspection time, as they require a lead in for the wax to melt and the scent to evaporate.

Reed diffusers: These are a great way to add constant fragrance to your home. The diffuser reeds soak up the fragrance oil and disperses the scent into the air. They last until all the fragrance oil evaporates.

Fresh flowers: Fresh flowers within the home have a two-pronged effect; they are aesthetically pleasing, and they can have a wonderful fragrance. Be mindful however that their scent will be fairly localised, and they need to be replaced regularly.

Garden: Consider planting scented flowers in your garden in an area close to where the foot traffic will be. This will sub-consciously make people enter the home feeling welcomed.

As vendors and landlords, it’s not always possible for you to be at your home prior to all open for inspections, so why not consider having a kit that your agent or property manager can access. The easiest product to include here is a room spray as it is instantaneous, and agents can make good use of this as they do a quick walk-through of your home prior to opening it to the public.

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