First Impressions When Selling Real Estate

Picture of Sylvia Richards

Sylvia Richards

Born in Poland, raised in Mississauga, and now rooted in Milton, Sylvia Richards brings a lifetime of experience, local insight, and heartfelt passion for real estate to everything she writes. Her deep understanding of what “home” truly means helps bring fresh, relatable, and valuable perspectives to our blogs—giving buyers and sellers real advice they can trust.

First Impressions When Selling Real Estate

When you list your home for sale, you want to ensure it leaves a lasting impression, especially when buyers are touring multiple properties in a single day. The key to a successful home sale is creating a memorable and positive experience for potential buyers.

As a home seller, focusing on smell, sight, and sound can make your home more inviting and appealing. Follow these expert real estate agent tips to attract buyers and sell your home faster. We talk about some awesome cleaning hacks on our podcast, so watch it here, because who doesn’t love a life hack?

Smell: Keep It Fresh and Neutral

Unpleasant or overpowering scents can turn buyers away. Here’s how to ensure your home smells inviting:

  • Avoid strong food odors. Cooking with seafood, garlic, cabbage, or fried foods can leave lingering smells. Refrain from cooking these items before showings.
  • Skip heavy perfumes and air fresheners. Many buyers have sensitivities and allergies, so stick to neutral scents or fresh air.
  • Eliminate pet odors. Deep clean carpets, upholstery, and curtains, and consider temporarily relocating pets during showings.
  • Air out your home. Open windows before a showing to let in fresh air and create a clean, welcoming atmosphere.

Sight: Create a Model Home Look

Visual appeal plays a significant role in a buyer’s decision. Make sure your home is bright, clean, and clutter-free:

  • Turn on all lights. Well-lit homes feel warm and inviting.
  • Use your fireplace if you have one. A gas or electric fireplace adds to the ambiance and makes the space feel cozy.
  • Declutter every room. Put away laundry, toys, dishes, mail, and personal items to create a clean, spacious look.
  • Depersonalize your space. Buyers should be able to imagine themselves living in the home, so minimize personal decorations and photos.

Sound: Set the Right Mood

The right background sounds can make your home feel more inviting and comfortable:

  • Play soft background music. Stick to instrumental classical, jazz, or nature sounds for a calming effect.
  • Turn on the furnace fan. This helps circulate fresh air while also creating white noise to prevent awkward silence.
  • Avoid loud noises. Make sure TVs are off and any noisy appliances are not running during showings.

Don’t believe us? Check out this podcast, where we discuss why your home may not be selling!

Work with a Trusted Real Estate Agent

A well-presented home can sell faster and for a better price. If you’re preparing to sell your home, working with an experienced real estate agent can help you maximize its appeal and attract serious buyers.

For more expert real estate tips on buying and selling homes, or to ask a question, contact KT Realty at 1 (800) 617-0090 or visit our Contact Page.

 

Picture of Sylvia Richards

Sylvia Richards

Born in Poland, raised in Mississauga, and now rooted in Milton, Sylvia Richards brings a lifetime of experience, local insight, and heartfelt passion for real estate to everything she writes. Her deep understanding of what “home” truly means helps bring fresh, relatable, and valuable perspectives to our blogs—giving buyers and sellers real advice they can trust.

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Open House Terms & Privacy Agreement

for KT Open Houses

  1.  

1. Visitor Etiquette: All visitors are required to maintain a respectful and safe environment in our client’s property by adhering to the following etiquette guidelines unless otherwise directed by a representative of The KT Team:

  • Footwear: Please remove footwear upon entry to help preserve the property’s cleanliness.
  • Washroom Facilities: Visitors are kindly asked to refrain from using washroom facilities.
  • Personal Belongings and Furniture: For privacy and safety, please avoid touching personal belongings or opening furniture not part of the sale. Examples include dressers, media consoles, and most free-standing furniture.
  • Food and Beverages: Outside food and beverages are prohibited while touring the property.
  • Furniture: To respect our client’s space, please avoid sitting or lying on any furniture.
  • Pets: Pets are not allowed within the property.
  • Children: Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring children follow these guidelines.

2. Visitor Tracking and Safety: To ensure the safety of our clients’ property and personal belongings and the security of our real estate agents, all visitors are required to provide accurate and complete contact information. This information is used to track attendees and ensure accountability.

3. Digital Communications and Follow-Up: By providing your contact information, you consent to receive digital communications from our real estate team, including information about this property, future open houses, and other relevant real estate opportunities. These communications may include marketing or promotional messages, and we aim to keep them relevant to your interests.

4. Opting Out: You may opt out of receiving digital communications at any time by contacting us directly at the contact points below or following the unsubscribe link provided in messages. Opting out will remove you from future marketing communications, although we may retain your contact information for internal records related to visitor tracking.

KT Realty
229 – 336 Bronte Street South
Milton ON L9T 7W6
[email protected]
1 (800) 617-0090

4. Prospecting and Sales Activity: Our real estate team may use your information for prospecting and follow-up purposes. We ensure these communications are conducted respectfully and aim to provide opportunities aligned with your interests.

5. Privacy and Data Protection: We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. Your details will not be shared with third parties, except as required by law or for purposes directly related to the safety of open house events.

6. Acknowledgment: By submitting this form, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions. You agree to adhere to any additional requests or instructions the real estate agents provide to maintain a safe and secure environment during your visit.