With fall in full swing, introducing cozy, seasonal scents can make your home feel especially welcoming to buyers.
The key is knowing how to use fragrance naturally, and when too much can backfire.
Because experts agree that smells can trigger a strong reaction, particularly when it comes to buying a home. But the days of throwing in a batch of chocolate chip cookies are gone—or at least, they’ve evolved!
Why scent matters when selling your home in fall
When it comes to selling a home, most people focus on what buyers see, but what they smell can be just as important.
“That first scent right as you walk in the door is crucial at setting up the buyers’ first impression as a warm, inviting, and clean home,” explains real estate agent Stacy Miller, of Re/Max Fine Properties in Arizona.
Because fragrance affects buyer psychology, seasonal scents can enhance showings and open houses.
“A scent can trigger an emotional reaction faster than visuals or words,” says Laura Willis, a real estate agent with Summit Sotheby’s International Realty in Park City, UT. “Fall fragrances create a cozy, welcoming ambiance.”
Considering that fall is the final push before winter slows sales, ambiance matters now more than ever.
The best fall scents that help homes sell
Aromatherapy expert Savannah Britt, founder of The Fragrance Affair, suggests these fall-inspired scents to help your home seem more inviting to buyers:
Apple cinnamon
“This classic combination evokes warmth, family gatherings, and nostalgic comfort,” says Britt. “It’s a homecoming scent that is instantly familiar and inviting.”
A stovetop simmer pot is a great way to achieve this scent naturally. Just avoid using too much cinnamon, because it can be overpowering and could even cause nausea.
Vanilla or baked goods
Vanilla scents and the smell of freshly baked treats trigger powerful associations with hospitality, nurturing, and comfort, according to Britt.
In fact, one homeowner said her house was sold soon after she baked a plum torte.
A batch of cookies in the oven before an open house can fill your home with that same comforting, welcoming aroma—as long as they don’t burn.
Pumpkin spice
“Deeply associated with seasonal coziness and tradition, pumpkin spice taps into feelings of safety, belonging, and festive joy,” explains Britt. “This scent, when used subtly, can subconsciously make a house feel like a home.”
Use a pumpkin spice diffuser—but avoid running it constantly to dodge potential side effects like headaches.
Crisp linen or fall rain
These fresh, airy notes communicate cleanliness, calm, and new beginnings.
“They’re especially effective in open houses, as they create a blank-slate environment that buyers can project their own story onto,” says Britt.
A lightly scented candle in one of these neutral fragrances can enhance the home’s warmth without overpowering anyone’s senses.
Cedarwood or sandalwood
“These grounding, woody scents convey stability, sophistication, and timelessness,” explains Britt. “They add depth and a sense of permanence, which is ideal for creating a homey atmosphere.”
Using essential oils is the best way to achieve these earthy scents naturally. But less is more, since they’re potent and highly concentrated.
When fragrance can work against a sale
When introducing fragrances in your home, proceed with caution and avoid common mistakes.
“An overpowering scent is often worse than no scent at all,” warns Willis. “It signals that the seller is either trying too hard or, worse, masking an underlying odor, immediately raising suspicion for the buyer.”
Real estate agent Denise Supplee, co-founder of SparkRental in Doylestown, PA, says one of her clients once walked in a house, took one sniff, and asked, “What are they covering up?”
“Then he literally started looking around the house trying to find whatever it was,” she recalls.
Mixing fragrances is another no-no.
“Having competing scents between rooms—like lavender in the bathroom and pine in the living room— creates sensory confusion,” says Willis.
And nothing kills a first impression faster than bad smells, so neutralize those odors before adding anything pleasant.
“Deep-clean the home, and have carpets, furniture upholstery, curtains, and all soft surfaces professionally cleaned,” advises Willis. “Deep-clean drains, garbage disposals, and appliances, then thoroughly clean all pet areas. Open all windows and doors for an extended period to circulate fresh air.”
After cleaning and airing out the space, enhance the freshness with a hint of fragrance from a simmer pot or softly scented plug-in.
“When a buyer steps over the threshold, they are searching for a feeling,” says Willis. “A carefully chosen, subtle scent is the fastest way to deliver that emotion they are looking for.”
