Smells to Dig-or Not

One of the real estate industry magazines I subscribe to recently provided a list I thought to share with readers. This list is about 'Good Smells and Bad Smells' while selling a home and how they affect moods. We all have heard about the cinnamon rolls or cookies in the oven trick. There's something to the trick in moderation. Read on:

Sensory research shows that the smell of a home can affect a person's mood, according to Terry Molnar, executive director of the The Sense of Smell Institute, a New York-based organization that focuses on the importance of smell to human psychology, behavior, and quality of life.
A light floral fragrance can put people in a more pleasant mood, while citrus scents, such as lemon and grapefruit, tend to have an energizing effect, he says. "Vanilla is one scent that's universal around the globe," Molnar says. "People find it comforting and relaxing."
But be careful: When you add smells to a home, it can be viewed as an attempt to cover up a bad odor. And if that's the intent, it can make the problem worse.

So what if you do need to get rid of a bad smell? Here are some ideas:

• Take the trash out. Simple and easily done. If your home is being shown to prospective buyer's, empty your garbage often.
• Snuff out the smoke. Eliminate smoking-put out your butts and buy an ionizer to help reduce the yucky stale smoke smell.
• Watch the cooking. The smell of lamb, broccoli, garlic, fish and eggs can stick around long after the food has been eaten. (Kim-postpone the lox, eggs and onions for a while!)
• Wash the dog-especially the big ones. Big dogs, such as Labradors and Retrievers, have a greater tendency to smell. Wash the dog and clean the pet's bedding regularly.

-Source, Realtor Magazine, April 2010