UK Estate agent comparison site, GetAgent, has conducted research that reveals the scents that would encourage buyers to put an offer in on a house – and the ones that would put them off.
The study revealed that freshly baked bread, washing linen and freshly brewed coffee were the top scents to sell your house faster, whereas the stench of mould, vomit, and cannabis were the top three scents that would make prospective buyers less inclined to purchase a property.
To assist sellers in achieving a quicker sale, the site has distilled the scents that are most likely to speed up the sale of a property into a handy candle – meaning that house sellers can just light up their freshly baked bread, fresh washing linen and brewed coffee scented candle.
The top 10 scents that will sell your house quicker
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.
The top 10 scents that will put people off buying your home
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%), 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.
“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“, comments Colby Short, co-founder and CEO of GetAgent.
“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 air flow”.
GetAgent is offering ten lucky winners the opportunity to win a set of the limited edition candles, named ‘Smells That Sell’. The competition closes on Sunday, the 4th September 2022.
To find out more and to apply for your chance to win the limited edition set of candles, visit: https://www.getagent.co.uk/blog/research/smells-that-sell
