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By Sarah Allen
Real Estate Coordinator and homeowner.
When I listed my home, I knew it wouldn’t be all smooth sailing. Still, nothing quite prepares you for the moment feedback rolls in after a showing.
You spend days cleaning, rearranging, wiping down the same countertop twice because the streaks bother you. You check the lights, adjust the thermostat, and stand in the doorway looking around before locking up. For a minute, the house almost feels perfect. You hope the next person who walks through will see what you’ve always seen; not just a house but home.
Then the feedback comes in:
“The smell of the home was not overly pleasant.”
That one line stopped me cold. The home is empty. There’s not much furniture, no food, no pets, no people. What smell? Where?
I called my agent to find out more. I wanted details; what exactly did they mean? But sometimes there are no answers. Feedback can be vague, inconsistent, and occasionally completely baffling.
Selling your home isn’t just a transaction. It’s emotional. You’ve poured time, energy, and memories into this space. So when someone leaves a comment that feels careless or critical, it stings.
The truth is most buyers don’t mean it personally. They’re forming quick impressions while juggling a dozen other homes, and sometimes their comments say more about them than your property. Still, it’s hard not to feel like they’ve missed something; like they’ve walked past all the work, warmth, and history you’ve put into those walls.
Sometimes feedback doesn’t even make sense. “Smell” could mean cleaning products, new paint, or simply a house that’s been closed up for a few days. People interpret things differently and often can’t pinpoint why they felt a certain way.
After a few showings, you realize not every comment is useful. Some are worth action. Others are worth ignoring entirely.
Pause before reacting. It’s okay to feel frustrated, but let it pass before you take it to heart.
Ask your agent for context. They can help interpret whether a comment was truly significant.
Look for patterns. One comment about smell? Ignore it. Three? Maybe time to investigate.
Fix what you can. Fresh air, open blinds, and a comfortable temperature go a long way.
Let go of the rest. Your home doesn’t need to appeal to everyone, just the right person.
What I’ve learned through this process is that selling your home is a little like letting someone critique a part of your life. It’s vulnerable, and no matter how confident you are, feedback has a way of finding that soft spot.
But here’s what keeps me grounded: the right buyer will see it differently. They won’t care about whatever “smell” someone thought they noticed. They’ll walk in and feel at ease. They’ll imagine their own furniture and their own laughter echoing through the rooms.
That’s the buyer you’re waiting for. And when they come, none of the other feedback will matter.
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