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5 Things Buyers Notice in the First 30 Seconds of a Showing

(From an Ottawa Valley Realtor’s Perspective)

One of my favourite moments in real estate is watching a buyer step into a home for the very first time.

Within seconds — often before they even reach the living room — they already have a feeling about the property. They may not say it out loud, but you can see it immediately in their body language. They either relax… or they hesitate.

Here’s the important part most sellers don’t realize:

Buyers don’t decide with logic first. They decide with emotion first — and then they use logic to justify the decision.

That first 30 seconds matters more than the granite countertops, the square footage, or even the price. After walking through many homes with buyers here in the Ottawa Valley, I consistently see the same five things shape that first impression.

1. Smell (Yes… Immediately)

This is always the first thing buyers notice — even if they’re too polite to mention it.

Cooking odours, pets, smoke, strong candles, or even just a closed-up house can affect how a buyer feels the moment they step inside. Rural homes in particular can sometimes carry basement or well-water smells that homeowners no longer notice because they’ve grown used to them.

Buyers interpret scent as a sign of maintenance. If a home smells fresh and clean, they assume it has been well cared for. If it doesn’t, they begin wondering what other issues might be hiding.

Often, a deep clean, fresh air, and a few small adjustments make a bigger difference than any renovation ever could.

2. Lighting

Light sets the mood instantly.

Many buyers walk into a home and subconsciously decide whether it feels warm and welcoming or dark and heavy. Something as simple as closed blinds, dim bulbs, or heavy curtains can make a great home feel smaller and less inviting.

Before a showing, I often suggest:

  • opening all curtains and blinds

  • turning on every light

  • replacing outdated or dim bulbs

It sounds simple, but it dramatically changes how a home feels — and feeling is what sells homes.

3. Clutter

Clutter doesn’t just make a home look messy. It makes rooms feel smaller.

Buyers aren’t only looking at your home — they’re trying to picture their life in it. When countertops, shelves, and furniture are full, it becomes difficult for them to mentally move in.

This doesn’t mean your home needs to look empty or staged like a magazine. It simply means giving buyers visual space to imagine their own furniture, routines, and daily life there.

In almost every listing appointment, decluttering is one of the most important (and least expensive) improvements a seller can make.

4. The Entryway

The entry sets the tone for the entire showing.

If the first thing buyers see is crowded boots, coats, and bags, the home immediately feels smaller and busier than it actually is. But when the entryway is open and welcoming, buyers relax — and relaxed buyers stay longer and view the home more positively.

I often tell sellers: You’re not just selling a house — you’re selling how it feels to come home at the end of the day.

5. Evidence of Pets

I love pets. Many of my clients do too. But buyers still notice pet presence right away.

Pet hair, litter boxes, food dishes, scratched doors, or lingering odours can distract buyers and sometimes trigger allergy concerns. Even buyers who own pets themselves often react cautiously because they worry about long-term smells or damage.

Small changes — extra cleaning, temporary relocation of pet items during showings, and good ventilation — can make a significant difference in how buyers perceive the home.

The Big Takeaway

The Big Takeaway

Many homeowners think they need major renovations before selling. In reality, most homes don’t need expensive upgrades — they need thoughtful preparation.

Before any of my clients list their property, I walk through the home with them and create a simple, practical plan. The goal is always the same: focus on the improvements that actually matter to buyers and avoid spending money on the ones that don’t.

I’ve seen sellers invest thousands in projects that didn’t increase their sale price — and others make a few small changes that dramatically improved buyer response.

If you’re considering selling this year, I always recommend talking with a realtor before starting repairs or renovations. A short conversation and walkthrough can often save you money, time, and a lot of unnecessary stress.

And even if your move is still months away, having a plan early makes the entire process smoother.

Sometimes the smartest preparation isn’t a renovation — it’s the right guidance from the start.

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House to Home!

Renovation Adventure

In August 2021, we decided to sell our perfectly good newer house and move out of town to a large lot with a house built in 1971. It is a well built house but needed some updating and that’s where we came in!

City Home

Country House

We were up for a Renovation Adventure! (or so we thought!)  Chalk it up to watching too much HGTV, I guess. I had a firm vision of what I wanted in this bungalow-white kitchen, updated bathroom, ensuite, farmhouse style—you get the picture. 😊

Immediately upon moving in, we began the “tear down” process and learned Lesson One—Don’t live in a house you are renovating.

We decided to tackle the Primary suite and kitchen at the same time. (I’m a bit impatient when I have an idea)  The third bedroom was taken down to the studs and closets in the primary and the third bedroom were ripped out. Our plan was to make an ensuite in that third bedroom.

Third Bedroom —would become our Primary Ensuite…eventually. 

Our dream included a large walk-in shower, double vanity and a soaker tub but the room just wasn’t big enough so my soaker tube was quickly eliminated. If you have ever done a renovation, you will know what I mean when I say the process seemed painfully slow. We gradually saw the rooms take shape.

We added a “walk through” closet between the Primary Bedroom and Ensuite. IKEA PAX is a fantastic system! Once the drywall was up, we painted the bathroom, closet and bedroom. New luxury vinyl plank was installed throughout the main floor. I like the continuity from room to room. 

My favourite parts are the finishes where I can add some personality and farmhouse feel that I love.

I found a discounted dual sink bathroom vanity at our local Home Depot which I was excited about! (Who doesn’t love a good deal?) I love the look of black fixtures with the white throughout the bathroom.Then I added towers from IKEA on each side allowing me to use baskets for storage.  One of my favourite things about this bathroom is the way the sun bathes the room in light early in the morning.

We painted our Primary Bedroom the same creamy white (Alabaster from Benjamin Moore). I plan to add some colour with fresh paint but at the time it was just easier to paint everything the same white. Doing a whole home renovation means a lot of decisions to make! 

We love our Primary Suite! I still have plans for an accent wall behind the bed-a perfect winter project! 

These rooms gave us a little bit of quiet away from the chaos as our renovations continued!  

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