These 10 Scents Are Proven to Sell Your Home Faster

Karla Walsh
·2 min read
flowers in a white kitchen with candle
These 10 Scents Can Help Your Home Sell FasterCavan Images - Getty Images


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You’ve probably heard the old real estate trick: “Bake a batch of cookies just before the open house, and the home will sell quicker than tickets to the latest blockbuster movie.”

But there are several scents that are actually even more enticing to potential home buyers, according to a new survey from U.K.-based real estate company GetAgent. After tapping 1,500 homeowners about what would make them more or less likely to feel inspired to buy a property, they found some fascinating front runners. Perhaps new carpet smell is the next Le Labo Santal 33?

Ranked in order based on the percentage of people who confirmed the scent would make them more inclined to put an offer on a property, the survey revealed that the top 10 aromas include the enticing aromas below. We’re sharing them with a candle, diffuser or room spray that can help you recreate the vibe—no oven, home renovation, or yard work required.

Whether you’re selling your home or staying put, these smells will help your house feel even more like a home.

Scents That Help Your Home Sell Faster

  1. Freshly baked bread: 37%

  2. Fresh linen: 37%

  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 supplies: 13%

  10. Freshly baked birthday cake: 11%

While this might sound silly, research proves that scent is actually the sense that relates most to memories. So of course thoughts of mom pulling a birthday cake, holiday pie, or fresh loaf of bread from the oven helps make potential buyers feel already at peace in the new place. (In case you missed it, here are 10 clever ways to make your home smell like you've been baking.)

The research also found some fascinating differences between different age groups and genders. Men were more likely to swoon over that fresh sourdough, while women leaned toward the fresh linen smell (who wouldn’t be happy to have laundry duty done?).

Gen Z (ages 18 to 24) veered toward vanilla, millennials (25 to 40) loved those fresh linens and Gen X (41 to 56) and baby boomers (57 to 75) were all about the bread. For those between 25 and 34, new carpet was a surprising front runner, perhaps a nod to their interest in a newly renovated abode.

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