There are many things to take in when viewing your next potential home - from the look and feel of a property, to the surrounding road noise or smell of the house. But could certain scents help sell your house quicker?
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
| Rank | Scent | % of respondents who stated the scent would make them more inclined to buy a property |
| 1 | Freshly baked bread | 37% |
| 2 | Fresh linen | 36% |
| 3 | Freshly brewed coffee | 27% |
| 4 | New Carpet | 25% |
| 5 | Freshly Cut Grass | 25% |
| 6 | Vanilla | 22% |
| 7 | Roses | 19% |
| 8 | Hot apple pie | 14% |
| 9 | Cleaning supplied | 13% |
| 10 | Freshly baked birthday cake | 11% |
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It was the enticing scent of freshly baked bread wafting through a house which 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
| Rank | Scent | % of respondents who stated the scent would make them less inclined to buy a property |
| 1 |
Mould |
68% |
| 2 |
Vomit |
64% |
| 3 |
Cannabis |
55% |
| 4 |
Flatus |
53% |
| 5 |
Baby nappies |
50% |
| 6 |
Dog food |
47% |
| 7 |
Burnt rubber |
45% |
| 8 |
Dusty attic smell |
45% |
| 9 |
Smoke |
43% |
| 10 |
Gym socks |
42% |
Over 2 in 3 (68%) prospective buyers stated that the smell of mould would put them off buying a property, while just under two thirds (64%) said that vomit would discourage them from making an offer. The scents of cannabis (55%), flatus (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.
READ: Scents to make your home ‘unforgettable’
Colby Short, co-founder and CEO of GetAgent says 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.
READ: Top home staging tips to attract buyers
"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 air flow,” says Short.
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