| If you're looking to sell your home, you want to do | | | | Generally, you can achieve a subtle pleasant smell if |
| everything you can to make it appealing and desirable | | | | you turn on a burner on your electric stove just for a |
| to potential buyers. However, some of the most | | | | moment, and then put a single drop of vanilla extract |
| important things you can do to help your agent sell | | | | on it. That will give a hint of vanilla smell to the kitchen, |
| your home might not be obvious at first. | | | | as if you've recently been cooking something nice. |
| For instance, it's always a good idea for you NOT to | | | | If you happen to have pets, they can add special |
| be home while an agent shows your home. It can be | | | | problems to selling your home. Often, homeowners get |
| awkward for buyers to tour the house with you there, | | | | used to the smell of cats and dogs, but someone |
| because they won't be free to make uninhibited | | | | entering the home will instantly notice if the smell is too |
| comments, especially about things that don't appeal to | | | | strong. Keep your cats in a single room, and empty the |
| them. If you're home, they won't want to hurt your | | | | litter box. Dogs should be outside as much as possible |
| feelings by making a negative comment about some | | | | while the buyers are touring the home. Have friends |
| improvement you've made that you may be proud of. | | | | walk into the house and tell you honestly if they can |
| If you simply can't leave for whatever reason, try to | | | | smell your cats or dogs. If they can, address the |
| stay in one particular area of the house, such as a | | | | problem immediately. Make sure your kitchen trash |
| living room or den, since that will allow the buyers free | | | | doesn't smell, either. This can be a turn-off for buyers. |
| rein to explore the rest of the house, including the | | | | It may seem obvious, but you must keep your home |
| all-important kitchen, bathroom, and master bedroom. If | | | | tidy whenever someone is coming to tour it. Keep the |
| there is more than one person home, have everyone | | | | kitchen sink clear of dishes, pick up toys, clothes, and |
| together in whichever room you decide to stay in. | | | | papers, and keep the carpets vacuumed. It will make |
| When you know buyers are coming to tour your | | | | the home that much more desirable to buyers. |
| home, don't try to improve the smell of the house by | | | | Doing these simple things will go a long way toward |
| using scented sprays or candles. It's possible that the | | | | helping your agent sell your home and might even add |
| buyers will assume that there is a reason why you've | | | | thousands of dollars to your sales price in the process! |
| chosen to try to cover up the natural scent of your | | | | Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. |
| home with perfumes, even if that's NOT the truth. | | | | |