Selling your home? The Nose Knows!

The nose knows. When my first son was born, the hospital bathed him and washed his hair with Dove soap. To this day, I buy Dove soap, the original scent, and every time I shower, I put the bar of soap to my nose and take a sniff. It brings me right back to those early days, in the hospital, holding my son for the first time, his soft hair tickling my nose and the fragrance of Dove will be forever linked to that special time in my life.

Friday, my cousin Joe treated my cousin Donna and me to a beautiful lunch at the Union League. The food was superb, the company even better, and we laughed and talked for almost 2 hours together. We were talking about disease and familial links and Joe said that we grew up in South Philadelphia and it was his opinion that we were exposed to a lot of toxins in the air by the various factories and such that spewed poison out on a regular basis. I decided that this was possible but that he needed to remember that we also stood in the fumes of the soft serve ice cream truck for more than a few minutes every summer night, waiting for our turn. "Every time my husband starts the lawn mower, I get the urge for a Mr. Softie", I exclaimed. We howled laughing and so it is. Smells bring back memories and the smell of my husband's lawn mower reminds me of soft serve ice cream!

If I am near a man who uses the old fashioned cologne, Aqua Di Silva, I think of Mr. Appa from middle school. Estee Lauder perfume reminds me of my mom, who always wore Youth Dew or Cinnabar when I was growing up. When I deliver meals on wheels on Thursdays, one of my little ladies wears Youth Dew and I always feel great when I walk in because it transports me to my childhood and warm memories of my mom. Although I am lucky to still have her, she doesn't wear Estee Lauder anymore.

I have always maintained that heaven, when I arrive, will smell like my mother's kitchen; aromatic with spices and tomatoes boiling on the stove or a roast in the oven. I love the smell of my garden flowers, most especially my butterfly bushes. The smell of the seashore, a lovely combination of salt and sunscreen is also a smell that could transport you to a happy place.

Smells are important. The nose knows! If you are selling your home, it should smell clean. It should smell like apple pie, fresh flowers and clean breezes. It shouldn't smell of stale cooking odors, unwashed dog, cigarette smoke or the kitty litter box. While I find doggie smells to be very comforting, most people would argue they are offensive. When selling your home, call a real estate agent. All homes have their own distinctive odor, and we really can't smell it on a day to day basis. Your agent will let you know what you need to do have your house smelling just right to put it on the market.



Susan C. Mangigian


1450 E. Boot Road, Suite 600-A,West Chester, PA 19380

610-719-1700 main office, 610-299-6237 cell

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Moving? I can help!

875 W. Miner Street, Rich in Chester County History

My new listing at 875 W. Miner Street is a magnificent 25 room Federal Style home about 1 mile west of the great town of West Chester, PA, in East Bradford Township. According to the current owners, the original stucco over stone historic homestead was deeded in 1686 from William Penn to Philadelphia legislator Arthur Cooke. With 10 foot ceilings on the first floor, it's rich in architectural detail and a pleasure to show.

The stone stairs are guarded by a gorgeous set of lions that are really breathtaking.

Historical silo on the property.

The stone walls from the original barn are still on the property.

So many neat features, far too many to detail here. This property is rich is Chester County History.

Make an appointment to preview this piece of history.

2011 International Philadelphia Flower Show

I am very excited to announce that this weekend, before you go to bed on 3/12/11, well really sometime during the night, we will spring forward into Daylight Savings Time.  I am very excited about the additional hour of light after dinner as this is my favorite time of day to walk my little dog.  I love to be out and about and see my neighbors and I enjoy watching JJ cavort with the dogs in the neighborhood.

I am not, though, especially happy that I am losing an hour's sleep.  It's a widely known fact that I am not a morning person.  Mornings are great; they just start so darned early!  Sunrises are lovely; I just rarely see them.  It will be lovely though, to have more daylight during the evenings.  It's so nice to be able to garden, read on the porch, and do all the wonderful outdoorsy stuff I like to do when the weather warms up.  It's been a long winter and I am ready.  To make myself more than ready, the girls and I attended the International Philadelphia Flower Show yesterday.  Springtime in Paris!  Sigh.  It's a wonderful show and I highly recommend it if you want to get a jump on your spring fever!

I put together a little slide show for your enjoyment and to wet your whistle!  Enjoy it!  Carpe Diem!