Estate agent comparison site, GetAgent, has conducted new research that reveals that certain scents encourage people to put an offer in on a house more than others. The study also reveals the smells which would put viewers off from returning to a property.
The top 10 scents that will sell your house quicker
The enticing scent of freshly baked bread wafting through a house emerged as the most popular scent, with over one in three people (37%) stating the smell would make them more inclined to buy a property. Freshly washed linen (36%), freshly brewed coffee (27%), a new carpet smell (25%) and freshly cut grass (25%) followed to make up the top five scents which could speed up the process of selling your house.
Other baked goods including hot apple pie (14%) and freshly baked birthday cake (11%) ranked in the top ten most enticing scents, suggesting you should head to the kitchen for a spot of pre-house-viewing baking if you get the time.
The top 10 scents that will put people off buying your home
68% of prospective buyers stated that the smell of mould would put them off buying a property, while 64% said that vomit would discourage them from making an offer. The scents of cannabis (55%), farts (53%) and baby nappies (50%) followed to make up the top five scents which would make people less inclined to purchase a property.
Between 40% and 45% of homeowners reported that smells of burnt rubber, smoke or of dusty rooms would also put them off-putting in an offer on a house, further highlighting the need for regular and perhaps even increased cleaning during the period when you’re being visited by prospective buyers.
Colby Short, co-founder and CEO of GetAgent comments: "When preparing your house for a viewing, there are lots of things to think about. From doing a quick cleaning blitz, rearranging furniture, or even opening the windows on a sunny day - the small things really can make a difference to the impression of prospective buyers viewing the property.
"Our research has shown just how impactful the smell of a home can be to potential buyers, with some smells clearly emerging as favourites amongst homeowners. If you have time before a viewing, baking a loaf of bread, buying some fresh flowers or brewing some nice coffee really could make all the difference when it comes to getting signatures on the dotted line. If you’re lucky enough to win one of our limited edition candles, why not light this before a viewing and allow you and your visitors to enjoy the triple hit of popular scents!
"Conversely, it appears that some scents really can put people off buying a home - even if they love the rest of the property. To avoid your home clinging onto lingering bad smells, ensure you are regularly cleaning and opening windows around the house to encourage airflow.”
Smells that sell
To perfectly reproduce the environment that is most likely to help you sell your home, GetAgent has distilled the top three scents into a ‘Smells That Sell’ candle. The unique product burns its way through the smells of a freshly baked loaf of bread, laundry and freshly brewed coffee, leaving your house full of the scents that buyers love to sniff.
For those wanting an insight into what the worst smelling candle in your home could smell like, a ‘Smells That Don’t Sell’ candle has also been produced, which burns through three layers of pungent smells including mould, vomit and cannabis.
The ‘Smells That Sell’ candles will be available to a limited number of winners, with the competition closing on 11:59pm Sunday 4th September.
To find out more and to apply for your chance to own the limited edition set of candles, click here
