The history of Aromatherapy dates back at least to 4000 BC, although the term "aromatherapy" was first used in the 1920s by the French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé who accidentally discovered that lavender oil relieves pain and assists in the healing of burns.
Today, Aromatherapy is used in almost every bath and beauty product on the shelf. It is also used by some for healing. As a Realtor® and Accredited Home Staging Specialist, one of my favorite uses is to "Set the Mood" for a sale in Real Estate. Aromatherapy is especially useful for Open Houses or to assist sellers with pet or cooking odors.
Studies have shown that the first thing people notice when they walk into a home is the smell. A strong or unpleasant smell can turn off a buyer immediately. We recently had a very nice home listed in a nice neighborhood and at a good price. The owners however had two large dogs, and even though the home was kept very clean, the pet odor was mentioned by almost every prospective buyer who looked at the home.
Studies have also shown that a buyer's impression of a home is made in the first 30 seconds upon entering and a buy/no buy decision is not far after. Needless to say, this first impression is critical in the sale of a home, and smell is an important part of the experience.
So why not use the buyer's senses to your advantage? It is possible to not only stage a home to be visually appealing and uncluttered but to also stimulate the buyer's other senses - especially their sense of smell.
Set the mood for your home by the use of Essential Oils or candles that include essential oils. If the home is small, you may want to limit the scents to one or possibly two. If the home is larger however, you can set the mood for each of the major areas of the home. Some examples include:
• Lavender Oil - Has a calming effect and would be ideal to set the mood for a master bathroom or bedroom.
• Bergamot - Has a fresh, sweet, citrus scent that is familiar to many as the flavoring in Earl Gray, would help create the ideal mood for a master bedroom or bathroom.
• Lemon or Citrus - Has a clean, refreshing scent and would be great for a kitchen, bathroom, or dining area.
• Peppermint - Has a clean, cooling scent and would be great on a hot summer day in the kitchen or main areas of the home.
• Balsam Fir - Has a soothing effect and would be great around the holidays in the main areas of the home.
• Jasmine - Has a warm, exotic floral fragrance that creates a feeling of "romance", ideal for the master bath or bedroom.
My favorite way of bringing aromatherapy into the home is through the use of Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils and a cold diffuser. Many oils that you purchase on the shelf are a "perfume" quality and may not have the same desired effects. My favorite essential Oils are from Young Living.
The Diffuser is an effective way to create a subtle "ambiance" in the home without overwhelming the senses. It is important that if you use a diffuser that you choose a "cold" diffuser as some oils actually become toxic when heated. My favorite diffuser is also from Young Living.
Candles with essential oil can also be used for aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is an effective and low-cost way to create a positive and memorable experience for your potential buyers.
For more information on using aromatherapy to help set the "sales mood" in your home, contact Monica Ray at Access Realty at 406-544-3098 or go online to order.
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Kevin & Monica Ray are real estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. For more information on Western Montana, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.YourMT.com.
Copyright 2009, Kevin & Monica Ray
This is such a great list you've shared...explaining the effects of the different scents. You are definitely right about the first impression---or lasting one!
I'm always looking to add simple things that I can add that might make might listings stand out, Thank you this is great.
Dear Kevin and Monica,
Thanks so much for sharing this, especially the resources!
A REALTOR friend of mine says, "If is smells, it won't sell!' It may sell, but for far less.
Many people use scents to cover up bad scents, The sellers can't smell the offending odor and think the house smells fresh.
I have had to leave many listings because of a potpourri, or scented something makes my head scream immediately!
I remember looking at a vacant farmhouse years ago. It reeked of monthballs. I had to go outside while the buyers looked.
Several years later I was showing rural properties again, There was little to show, so this house still on the market was among them. I remembered it as being a dump. When I showed again, I realized it wasn't bad--but it still reeked of moth balls. I found out that mothballs are often used to deter snakes. I can't stand either!!!
Barbara
Thanks for sharing this. I use Lampe Bergere which is actually removes unpleasant odors and gives a great scent, but what a great idea to do different scents in different rooms!
Thank for your the listing. I heard some different opinions about using aroma but I really kind lean toward the pro-aroma side. Great list.
Hi Huiting, Sharon, Barbara, Keith, Shellye & Mara, thanks for visiting our blog. Let us know how the aromatherapy works for your next open house! Best wishes :)
I knew that smell is important, but I have typically just used scented candles, cinnamon, or Glade plug-ins. Now you have enlightened me to explore new aroma's for the home.
Kevin & Monica, You are definitely right, it's something I notice before anything else. I thought the nimber one scent people most liked was vanilla--but just hints of it to keep it subtle.
As a professional home stager, I agree that scent is very important in the marketing of a home. I prefer to remove all traces of scent, however, as we have found that many buyers are allergic to -- or dislike -- a particular scent and we don't want to "turn them off" from being attracted to a property. While I personally lean towards vanilla and cinnamon scents, I rarely use them. One product I do use is a natural, chemical-free spray called Pure Citrus in a home that needs something added ... it's very fresh.
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Hi Kevin and Monica!
As I am very sesitive to lots of fragrancess, I have to agree with Maureen, in staging you don't want to turn off buyers like me when viewing a property. Nothing beats the fresh air coming from the open windows.
Thanks for such great information, I will test these fragrances in my own home to see if they pass my sensitive nose test:)
Thank you for the great information. I did not know about the difference in the oils. I too tend to stay away from anything that has a strong scent, but have had to use them in the past to help with unpleasent smells in a home. In one paticular project, I can remember the listing agent calling me when the ( great smell ) was fading and needed refreshing. It actually helped this difficult property sell.
Hi Carole, thanks for the feature!
Hi Monica, Trisha, and Maureen, I think an important part of using aromatherapy is to keep the scent very subtle so as not to offend. Many times air fresheners are too strong but I have found a good quality essential oil and a cold air diffuser on low to be light enought that it won't offend.
Great information and I totally agree. I have to admit that when I was searching for a home to buy for myselfI would have a negative feeling toward a house that did not smell good and the last thing you want it to have your buyers remembering your house because of the way it smells and not the way it looks.
I have always heard that vanilla and lavender are the best to use.
I don't use candles or plugins though. I read that plugins have exploded. Don't know if this is true or an urban legends but don't want to chance it.
As a home stager I am very aware of the impact a 'smell' can have on a buyer. My worst experience was a strong smell of dog urine as soom as I entered the home - only to be topped by finding a pile of droppings under the dining table. I tend to advise the client to try to clean away the source rather than mask it. If the house is stale -open the windows. Dog smell - shampoo dog and rugs - buy a new pet bed. The buyer may like the scent you choose or be put off by it. Some people are allergic to room fresheners. Some buyers will wonder what you are trying to mask. When I do use scents I recommend vanilla candles or a mixture of cinnamin and brown sugar warmed in the oven. Fresh and clean is the best. Janice
Good smells always make a difference... just like foul smells will keep people away .
Thanks for the heads up. I am BM the post to refer back.