The property market is showing signs of recovery and with this more sellers are thinking of putting their houses back on the market.

The power of the first impression to prospective sellers can go a long way. The term “scentmosphere” is becoming a popular way to attract new buyers rather than just applying a new lick of paint.

Scents register in the brain and frequently remind us of our past experiences. Creating pleasant aromas in your newly-listed house can help the buyer to experience an emotional connection with the home.

The aromas of coffee and freshly baked bread are welcoming and inviting for buyers. In comparison, think of gym bags left in corners of the room with sweaty clothing buried inside and the lingering smell of stale smoke. These are not going to leave good lasting impressions.

When looking to sell your home it is important to think about getting rid of clutter, tidying the garden and so on but think too about how your home smells.

Use these tips to help give new buyers an overall positive sensory experience:

- Burn a lemon or citrus candle to help perfume the air in bedrooms and living rooms.

- Offer buyers a cup of coffee when visiting the home as it will give the kitchen a good aroma and make them feel welcome. Use ready to drink coffee varieties to save time. Coffee is also known to help improve mental stimulation and increases alertness to make buyers more interested the home.

- Ask a friend with a good nose if the house smells of pets or cooking odours as you would have become too accustomed to these smells to make an accurate judgement.

- Thoroughly clean carpets and upholstery to get rid of ingrained smells.

- Throw open the windows to create a fresh flow of air throughout.

- When thinking of aromas make sure they are subtle and not overpowering. Some commercial perfumed deodorizers can be too strong and very off-putting.

The most direct of all our senses, smell has an immediate impact, uninfluenced by language and unimpaired by the passage of time. Scent is biologically the oldest, but also the most evocative of all our senses, according to anthropologist, Laurens Van Der Post.

So when thinking of selling your home don’t just think of the visual appeal, think of how aromas can create an overall positive experience.

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