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Scents can have an effect on our emotions, but will filling a property with a beautiful aroma increase its value on auction day?
Research suggests citrus scents can help a property secure a higher selling price. To put this theory to the test, realestate.com.au teamed up with MasterChef’s Gary Mehigan and aroma specialist Megan Thornton.
Forty-four people, organised into groups, walked through a scent-filled property and were asked what they thought the home was worth.
Six different scents including citrus, roast chicken and freshly baked bread were tested, with the experiment compiled in a short video clip Sale Scents.
The group that walked through the citrus-scented home valued the property the highest.
Ms Thornton said people were wary of stronger scents because they believed they were being tricked or they suspected something, like mould, was being covered up.
“If it is too obvious they might undervalue the home, so that is why a subtle scent works better,” she said.
“Simple scents can be less distracting for people so they actually spend time processing what is around them.
“Citrus is associated with people’s perceptions of being clean and pleasant.”
Mr Mehigan said he believed the smell of baked bread would be the winner but was proven wrong.
“Not so. Citrus scents are the most appealing [for home buyers]. So while I reckon my brownies and bread pass the taste test, it’s lemons, limes and oranges that will make noses sing.”
Realestate.com.au’s executive general manager of media and marketing, Elizabeth Minogue, said the real estate portal created Sale Scents because a significant portion of its audience visits for news, insights and entertainment.
“Gary Mehigan is one of Australia’s best loved chefs. He encompasses the emotional connection we place between home and food, which we know will resonate with our audience,” Ms Minogue said.
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