20 February 2025
I once sold a house where the sellers had just cleaned the carpets the day before an open house. It seemed like a great idea—fresh, clean carpets should be a plus, right? But for some reason, the cleaning brought out an odor, maybe from past pets. By that night, I could tell we had a problem.
With an open house the next morning, we needed a quick fix. We opened all of the windows, but there was still a slight odor. So, we baked cookies. No, we didn’t pull out mixing bowls and measuring cups —we just popped some store-bought cookie dough in the oven. When buyers walked in, they weren’t hit with the lingering carpet smell; they were welcomed by the warm, inviting scent of fresh-baked cookies.
The first person to walk through the door mentioned that the last house he visited had a smell—but then he picked up a cookie, took a breath, and said, “Not this one.” He ended up making an offer that same day.
Coincidence? Maybe. But there’s a reason real estate pros have used this trick for years.
Why Smell Matters in Selling a Home
Smell is directly linked to memory and emotion. It’s processed in the same part of the brain that stores emotional experiences, which is why certain scents can instantly make us feel comfortable and at home.
When buyers walk into a house that smells cozy and familiar, they don’t just see a potential home—they feel it.
The Easiest Way to Get That “Freshly Baked” Smell
I’m a firm believer in keeping things simple. No one has time to bake from scratch before a showing, and you don’t need to. Here’s what I actually recommend:
• Pre-made Cookie Dough (Nestlé Toll House, Pillsbury, etc.) – Just pop a few in the oven before a showing.
• Pillsbury Crescent Rolls or Ready-to-Bake Bread Dough – Fresh bread scent without the work.
• Frozen Cinnamon Rolls (without frosting) – Smells amazing with zero effort.
Just bake one small batch about 30-60 minutes before buyers arrive. Bonus: You’ll have warm cookies to offer guests.
What If You Don’t Want to Bake at All?
No worries! You can fake that cozy, baked-goods smell by:
✔ Warming a teaspoon of vanilla extract in the oven at 275°F for 20 minutes.
✔ Simmering water with cinnamon sticks and a little vanilla on the stove.
✔ Using a subtle vanilla-scented candle (just don’t overdo it).
The Takeaway: Create a Home, Not Just a House
Buyers aren’t just looking for four walls and a roof. They’re searching for a feeling—a place that feels warm, welcoming, and right for them.
A simple batch of cookies or warm crescent rolls won’t sell your home on its own, but it will create a subconscious connection that makes people feel more at home. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to turn a showing into a sold.
For more informational tips on selling your home, follow Leigh on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LeighKaminskyBelairMDRealtor/
or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/leighkaminskyrealtor