From the moment prospective buyers open your front door the home's scent can make or break the sale. Smell is incredibly emotive and could make the difference between someone liking and loving your house. Plus, you don't want an odor you've gone nose blind to prevent the sale of your home. Here are a few tips from our real estate agents on how to make a great first impression with your home's scent.

• Eliminate Unwanted Odor
  The very first thing you need to do is get rid of any unwanted odors lingering around your house, whether it's from mildew, dirty socks, or pets. Our noses are incredibly good at detecting when a scent is just trying to cover up an icky odor. Start by cleaning the house thoroughly. Shampoo the carpets if needed and replace any throw rugs. If your rugs don't need deep cleaning, or if you don't have time, you can deodorize your carpets and upholstery by sprinkling baking soda over them about 15 minutes before vacuuming. Don't forget to pay special attention to areas that tend to generate odors, such as the fridge and the kitchen sink, and make sure you take out the trash!
  
  
• Top it off with Soap
  Are you a hoarder of scented soap? Many people keep thoughtful gifts like these but never use them. Now is your chance! Unwrap these little soaps at last and leave them in the bathrooms, where they'll fill the small room with a light, clean fragrance.
  
  
• Add Essential Oils
  Many people have diffusers, which can be either fan-powered or something more subtle, such as reed diffusers. Be choosy about which scents you choose, though. Anything too perfumed may actually deter some people. Instead, opt for clean, fresh citrus or herbal scents. Try to stick with one scent throughout the entire house, as too many different smells can become overwhelming.
  
  
• Use Your Kitchen
  If you're not an essential oils type of person, don't feel like you have to go out and invest in a bunch of stuff you'll never use again. Your kitchen provides everything you need to create welcoming and lasting scents. One option is to use a simmer pot recipe to scent your home with nothing more than boiling water and a concoction of herbs and other scents. For instance, citrus, vanilla, and cinnamon are common ingredients in simmer pot recipes. If you have the time, though, the absolute best way to make your house smell good is to bake something! Bonus points if you bake something you can leave out for prospective buyers, such as cookies.
  
  
• Don't Forget the Nooks and Crannies
  Remember, when people browse Boise homes for sale, they like to look inside closets and cabinets. Don't forget to clean and freshen these areas too! Clean out all your cabinets and make sure there are no mildewy odors lurking there. You can also leave sachets of lavender or blocks of cedar in your closets and drawers for a fresh, clean fragrance if someone happens to open them up.

When you stage your home for sale, it's important to consider how it'll appeal to the senses. Most real estate advice focuses on making the house look good, but good smells can also be a powerful incentive for a buyer! To find out more about how to stage your home for a successful sale, contact us today.