The Nose Always Knows

She and her husband stood on the walkway admiring the pleasing façade of the house. Their eyes scanned from side to side, up and down taking in all the landscaping and architecture. I opened the door, stood along the wall of the foyer, and awaited their initial reaction to the awesome view ahead of them. As they stepped inside, I watched the wide opened eyes and smile filled faces begin to scrunch. Unable to contain herself, a disappointed “Oh my” tumbled from her lips, and my heart sank.

The sense of smell has a surprisingly powerful effect on perception when someone enters a home. It can influence emotions, memory, and even decision-making. For buyers, it often sets the first impression before they have had the opportunity to process anything else about the space before their eyes. Typically, in real estate, this plays out in several ways: 

1) There is an emotional response governed by pleasant, neutral scents. In your mind’s eye, picture clean linen, citrus, light florals, which can make a home feel more inviting, fresh and well-maintained as opposed to strong or unpleasant odors i.e., food, smoke, pets, mildew, which can trigger immediate negative emotions, making the home feel less desirable.

2) Perceived cleanliness along with maintenance and condition of the home is often equated with smell. For example, a strong pet odor may make them wonder if carpets or flooring are damaged, or if there are hidden cleanliness issues while overpowering food smells linger and suggest poor ventilation.

3) People tend to remember smell more strongly than visual details, and this is key in forming memories and lasting impressions. If the home smells bad, that memory can overshadow positive features such as the large kitchen, a good layout, all the natural light natural light etc., Conversely, a fresh, neutral smell can reinforce positive associations and help the property “stick” in buyers’ minds. 

4) Marketability is affected as real estate data suggests that homes with neutral or no smell sell faster and often at higher prices than those with noticeable odors. Meanwhile, overly strong masking scents, i.e., candles, sprays, plug-ins can backfire, leading buyers to suspect that the sellers are covering up a bigger issue.

We love pets and really enjoy savory food; however, when it comes to getting your home sold promptly and at its maximum potential, we exercise the best practice which subscribes to the belief that buyers should not notice a smell at all, or if they do, it should be a subtle freshness that fades into the background. We cannot stress enough how buyers tend to connect emotions with scent. The Brazier Group’s goal is to make the space feel move-in ready from the moment that buyer steps inside.

See the Brazier Group Pre-Showing Odor Elimination & Staging Plan for strategies and tips aimed at mitigating undesirable smells.

Brazier Group Pre-Showing Odor Elimination & Staging Plan

1. Identify & Remove the Source

• Empty all trash cans before showings.
• Wash pet bedding, blankets, and toys.
• Move litter boxes, pet cages, or food dishes to the garage or outside if possible.
• Avoid cooking strongly scented foods (fish, fried foods, heavy spices) 24–48 hours before a showing.

2. Deep Clean High-Odor Surfaces

• Professionally clean carpets, rugs, and upholstery (these hold food and pet smells).
• Wash curtains and fabric blinds.
• Mop hard floors with a neutral cleaner (avoid overly perfumed products).
• Wipe walls and baseboards where odors may cling.

3. Neutralize the Air

• Open windows for at least 30 minutes before showings to refresh the air.
• Run ceiling fans or a portable air purifier.
• Use odor absorbers like baking soda, dryer sheets in the vents, activated charcoal, or bowls of white vinegar overnight (remove these before showings).

4. Add Subtle Freshness (Not Overpowering)

• Lightly simmer water with lemon slices or cinnamon sticks earlier in the day.
• Use a single unscented or lightly scented soy candle (extinguish before buyers arrive).
• Opt for one plug-in or diffuser with a mild, fresh scent in a large, open area (avoid multiple competing fragrances).

5. Create a Buyer-Friendly First Impression

• Place a small vase of fresh flowers near the entryway.
• Make sure the entry smells like “fresh air” or a faint clean scent.
• Keep pet items (bowls, beds, toys) stored neatly or out of sight.

6. Maintenance Between Showings

• Vacuum daily if pets are in the home.
• Wash pet bedding weekly.
• Keep windows cracked for airflow when possible.
• Do a quick “sniff test” before leaving the house for a showing. If you notice it, buyers will as well.