Fragrance can be a very powerful motivator. Think about it, there is a reason Cinnabon uses specially designed ovens to pump out the aromas from the cinnamon rolls they make – it draws people in. The same is true when you’re selling any type of product – think about the way a new car smells – you can manipulate the fragrance to bring potential buyers to happy memories or states of relaxation. This is why fragrance in your house as you put it on the market matters a ton.
According to an article published in Psychology Today, Rachel Herz, a Brown University neuroscientist says, “fragrance has no personal significance until it becomes connected to something that has meaning.” For many people, the house you choose to live in will have the most personal significance and that is why you should discuss with your REALTOR® ways you can improve or enhance the fragrance of the home to appeal to many buyers. It is an inexpensive way to make your listing stand out in a good way.
Carpet Cleaning
One way to ensure a fresh palette for aromas is to start fresh with a good steam cleaning of carpets and other fabrics in the home. You can rent a steam cleaner at many grocery stores or you can hire a company to come in for you -not only will it help make your carpets look like new, but it will also get rid of any lingering odors that are in your home.
Once the cleaning has happened, regularly vacuuming will help to maintain the fresh fragrance and appearance of the carpet.
Boost Fragrance Naturally
There are a lot of commercially available products on the market to fragrance your home. There are wax warmers which heat scented wax at a low temperature, and plug ins that will last a long time. But you never know if someone is allergic or sensitive to stronger fragrances.
A better method is to create some natural fragrance options that you can heat in a mini slow cooker. Taking natural items and placing them in water and then setting the cooker on low will allow the natural oils to blend to create a wonderful fragrance. This a safe method for creating great fragrance and you also can determine exactly the right fragrance notes. These are some popular fragrance categories
- Citrus is a popular choice for natural fragrance because it is readily available and inexpensive. All of the fragrance power is in the peel of citrus or you can collect citrus peels to use or slice the fruit to release the oils. Lemons and oranges are very popular.
- Herbs are a good choice too – look for herbs like rosemary, lavender, or thyme which have woody stems. The woody stems will last longer and provide fragrance.
- Pine or cedar wood are also excellent choices. The pine needles have a lot of oil in them to provide great fragrance.
- Whole spices like cinnamon sticks, star anise, or cloves have lasting power.
- Extracts like vanilla or mint are inexpensive and provide great options.
- Essential oils are super concentrated fragrance powerhouses that can be purchased at health food stores. There are many fragrances available but the true test for a good essential oil is that the fragrance of the oil should lift out of the bottle with ease. If you can’t smell the oil easily then it isn’t a good version. Frankincense, myrrh, and ginger are wonderful in essential oil form.
When you have a few of these items try different combinations until you find one you like best. Here are few ideas:
- Lemon and Rosemary – it is a classic and clean smelling option.
- Vanilla and Cinnamon – invokes childhood memories and reminds of home.
- Lavender and Vanilla – soothing and relaxing.
- Ginger, Orange, and Clove – spicy and energetic.
